A Better Balance

Paid Family and Medical Leave:Problem: WORKERS IN THE UNITED STATES HAVE LIMITED ACCESS TO PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE, LIMITING OPTIONS FOR WORKERS WHEN THEY WELCOME A NEW CHILD, NEED TO RECOVER FROM A SERIOUS ILLNESS, OR HAVE TO CARE FOR A FAMILY MEMBERS SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUES. THE ONLY RELATED FEDERAL PROTECTION FOR WORKERS WHO NEED JOB-PROTECTED WORKPLACE LEAVE IS THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT (FMLA), BUT THAT LAW APPLIES ONLY TO BUSINESSES WITH OVER 50 EMPLOYEES, LIMITS ACCESS FOR PART-TIME AND NEWLY HIRED WORKERS, AND GUARANTEES ONLY UNPAID LEAVE, WHICH SEVERELY RESTRICTS ITS USE, ESPECIALLY AMONG LOW-INCOME WORKERS.ABB's Actions: UNTIL 2017, THERE WERE ONLY THREE STATES THAT HAD A PROGRAM FOR PAID FAMILY LEAVE. SINCE THEN, HOWEVER, A BETTER BALANCE HAS WORKED WITH COALITIONS AND PARTNERS TO HELP SECURE PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE LAWS IN TEN MORE STATES AND WASHINGTON D.C., DURING THIS MOST RECENT FISCAL YEAR, WE CONTINUED TO WORK CLOSELY WITH STATE COALITIONS AND POLICYMAKERS TO PASS, IMPLEMENT, AND DEFEND PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE POLICIES. WE CONTINUE TO DEVELOP AND UPDATE MODEL POLICIES, TOOLS, AND RESOURCES ON PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE. IN ADDITION, WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH FEDERAL OFFICIALS TO ARGUE FOR THE NEED FOR A FEDERAL PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE LAW THAT WOULD EXTEND THESE IMPORTANT PROTECTIONS TO WORKERS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. WE HAVE ALSO MADE GREAT STRIDES IN HELPING TO OBTAIN PAID LEAVE FOR EDUCATORS AND STATE AND LOCAL WORKERS IN STATES, INCLUDING MANY IN THE SOUTH, WHERE PASSAGE OF UNIVERSAL PAID LEAVE FOR ALL WORKERS IS CHALLENGING. THE COVERAGE OF PUBLIC WORKERS AND EDUCATORS HAS AN OUTSIZED EFFECT ON WOMEN, ESPECIALLY WOMEN OF COLOR. Paid Sick Days:Problem: MILLIONS OF WORKERS IN THE UNITED STATES LACK EVEN A SINGLE PAID SICK DAY, AND MANY MORE CANNOT USE THEIR PAID SICK TIME TO CARE FOR CHILDREN OR OTHER LOVED ONES AND FACE RETALIATION WHEN THEY NEED TO TAKE TIME OFF FOR PERSONAL OR FAMILY HEALTH NEEDS. WORKERS IN LOW-WAGE JOBS ARE MUCH LESS LIKELY TO RECEIVE PAID SICK TIME THAN HIGHER-INCOME EARNERS.ABB's Actions: A BETTER BALANCE HAS PROVIDED EXTENSIVE LEGAL ADVICE AND SUPPORT FOR EFFORTS TO SECURE PAID SICK DAYS GUARANTEES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. WE PROVIDE ONGOING LEGAL SUPPORT TO STATES AND LOCALITIES WORKING ON PAID SICK DAYS ISSUES. WITH OUR SUPPORT, THERE ARE NOW PAID SICK TIME LAWS IN 15 STATES, WASHINGTON D.C., AND DOZENS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, WITH NEARLY ALL OF THEM BASED UPON OUR MODEL POLICY. IN ADDITION, WE HAVE WORKED WITH COALITIONS IN THREE MORE STATES TO SECURE PAID TIME OFF LAWS WITH TIME OFF GUARANTEED TO WORKERS FOR ANY PURPOSE. DURING THIS MOST RECENT FISCAL YEAR, WE HAVE CONTINUED TO WORK WITH STATE AND LOCAL COALITIONS AND POLICYMAKERS TO ADVANCE NEW PAID SICK LEAVE POLICIES AND TO EXPAND OR MODERNIZE EXISTING PROTECTIONS. IN ADDITION, WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH FEDERAL OFFICIALS TO ARGUE FOR THE NEED FOR A FEDERAL PAID SICK TIME LAW THAT WOULD EXTEND THESE IMPORTANT PROTECTIONS TO WORKERS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. WE ALSO CONTINUE TO DEVELOP MODEL POLICIES USED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING MODEL FAMILY DEFINITIONS THAT ENSURE INCLUSIVENESS FOR ALL FAMILIES. WE ALSO CONTINUE TO WORK ON REGULATIONS TO ENSURE ROBUST IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THESE LAWS. WE HAVE ALSO PROVIDED LEGAL GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT TO DEFEND THESE POLICIES IN COURT WHEN THEY ARE CHALLENGED. ADDITIONALLY, WE PROVIDE LEGAL AND POLICY SUPPORT AROUND THE COUNTRY TO RESIST STATE PREEMPTION OF PAID SICK TIME AND PROTECT LOCAL AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE THESE PROTECTIONS TO WORKERS.Discrimination Against Pregnant Workers and Family Caregivers:PROBLEM: PREGNANT WORKERS, ESPECIALLY LOW-WAGE AND SINGLE MOTHERS, RISK JOB AND INCOME LOSS WHEN BALANCING FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES. ABB's ACTIONS: LED ADVOCACY EFFORTS FOR LAWS PROTECTING PREGNANT WORKERS AND CAREGIVERS AT FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS. THIS INCLUDES PUSHING FOR THE PREGNANT WORKERS FAIRNESS ACT AND THE PUMP FOR NURSING MOTHERS ACT. WE ALSO ADDRESS THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON PREGNANT WORKERS AND COMBAT RACIAL DISPARITIES IN MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH.OVERALL, ABB USES LEGAL AND POLICY EXPERTISE, ADVOCACY, PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND LITIGATION TO ADVANCE POLICIES THAT SUPPORT WORKERS' RIGHTS TO PAID LEAVE AND PROTECTION FROM DISCRIMINATION RELATED TO PREGNANCY AND CAREGIVING.