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Washington took a stand for working families. Other states must follow Washington took a stand for working families. Other states must follow
(30 days later)
Employers in Washington state – regardless of their size – are preparing for a new paid family leave law that takes effect on 1 January.Employers in Washington state – regardless of their size – are preparing for a new paid family leave law that takes effect on 1 January.
The law requires almost all employers to collect and remit new premiums, and fulfill new reporting and notice requirements. Under the law, workers can take up to 18 weeks for combined family and medical paid leave a year and earn up to $1,000 a week (depending on their salary) for things such as the birth of a child, a serious illness or to care for a sick family member.The law requires almost all employers to collect and remit new premiums, and fulfill new reporting and notice requirements. Under the law, workers can take up to 18 weeks for combined family and medical paid leave a year and earn up to $1,000 a week (depending on their salary) for things such as the birth of a child, a serious illness or to care for a sick family member.
Businesses can’t afford to be stingy – or they risk losing good employees | Gene MarksBusinesses can’t afford to be stingy – or they risk losing good employees | Gene Marks
The benefits, which would go into effect in 2020, are among the most generous in the country.The benefits, which would go into effect in 2020, are among the most generous in the country.
The premiums are 0.4% of an employee’s wages (or $10 of a $2,500 paycheck) and can be split with employees funding up to 63% of the amount. Companies with fewer than 50 employees only have to collect and remit the employee portion. Self-employed workers and independent contractors are exempt.The premiums are 0.4% of an employee’s wages (or $10 of a $2,500 paycheck) and can be split with employees funding up to 63% of the amount. Companies with fewer than 50 employees only have to collect and remit the employee portion. Self-employed workers and independent contractors are exempt.
“This program couldn’t come soon enough for Washington families,” Christina Pedersen, a mother and advocate for the law, wrote for HeraldNet. “It is long past time for the US to join the rest of the industrialized world in guaranteeing paid family and medical leave. But while we continue to advocate for a federal program, Washington state has taken a stand for working families.”“This program couldn’t come soon enough for Washington families,” Christina Pedersen, a mother and advocate for the law, wrote for HeraldNet. “It is long past time for the US to join the rest of the industrialized world in guaranteeing paid family and medical leave. But while we continue to advocate for a federal program, Washington state has taken a stand for working families.”
Over the past few years, many big companies have been responding to their employees’ demands for more comprehensive paid medical leave benefits. Bank of America, for example allows its employees to take up to 16 weeks of paid maternity, paternity and adoption leave. Other tech companies – from HP to Netflix – offer anywhere from 10 to 52 weeks off for similar time off, according to Recode.Over the past few years, many big companies have been responding to their employees’ demands for more comprehensive paid medical leave benefits. Bank of America, for example allows its employees to take up to 16 weeks of paid maternity, paternity and adoption leave. Other tech companies – from HP to Netflix – offer anywhere from 10 to 52 weeks off for similar time off, according to Recode.
But there’s also a growing trend of government getting involved.But there’s also a growing trend of government getting involved.
To his credit, Donald Trump tried to include a federal program offering paid time off for new parents – funded through unemployment insurance – in his last budget proposal. But the measure saw little enthusiasm in Congress and was dropped. However, that hasn’t stopped action at the local level. States such as California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and the District of Columbia either have similar laws to what’s being enacted in Washington or have passed legislation that will soon be effective.To his credit, Donald Trump tried to include a federal program offering paid time off for new parents – funded through unemployment insurance – in his last budget proposal. But the measure saw little enthusiasm in Congress and was dropped. However, that hasn’t stopped action at the local level. States such as California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and the District of Columbia either have similar laws to what’s being enacted in Washington or have passed legislation that will soon be effective.
Of course, workers are behind the Washington bill. But – and maybe surprisingly – so are some business organizations.Of course, workers are behind the Washington bill. But – and maybe surprisingly – so are some business organizations.
It’s “relatively inexpensive for employers”, Bob Battles, government affairs director of the Association of Washington Business, told the Seattle Times. Battles’ group, according to the report, supports statewide business interests and was part of the negotiating team for rules surrounding the law. From an employer’s perspective, Battles is right. Let’s hope this is a trend. Programs like these can work if there both the business community and governments join to create something mutually acceptable.It’s “relatively inexpensive for employers”, Bob Battles, government affairs director of the Association of Washington Business, told the Seattle Times. Battles’ group, according to the report, supports statewide business interests and was part of the negotiating team for rules surrounding the law. From an employer’s perspective, Battles is right. Let’s hope this is a trend. Programs like these can work if there both the business community and governments join to create something mutually acceptable.
I have witnessed many cases where employees at small business couldn’t afford to take extended periods of time off and their employers – not wanting to lose a good worker and desiring to the right thing – often have been forced to step up and provided financial assistance. In just about every case, the cost of doing so well exceeded the expense of a program like the one in Washington. A government-funded program may be an affordable solution that would help both employees and their employers offset these costs.I have witnessed many cases where employees at small business couldn’t afford to take extended periods of time off and their employers – not wanting to lose a good worker and desiring to the right thing – often have been forced to step up and provided financial assistance. In just about every case, the cost of doing so well exceeded the expense of a program like the one in Washington. A government-funded program may be an affordable solution that would help both employees and their employers offset these costs.
Unfortunately, there is one big drawback, and that’s the assumption of a well-run, properly administered government program. For some business owners I know, that may be asking a bit too much.Unfortunately, there is one big drawback, and that’s the assumption of a well-run, properly administered government program. For some business owners I know, that may be asking a bit too much.
US small businessUS small business
Work & careersWork & careers
Maternity & paternity rightsMaternity & paternity rights
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