Did you know that only 7% of employers offer paid family leave to their employees? This is paid time off that can be taken for maternity or paternity leave or days off to care for a sick family member (including a child). Many people who need family leave take a combination of sick days, vacation days and unpaid time to get it. Leaving them with no paid days off when they return to work. Many also incur debt from their unpaid time off. And 51% of private-sector employees don't even get that! Those folks don't have a single paid sick day through their job, so when they have or adopt a baby, or need to care for a sick family member, they have to take unpaid time off or return to work too quickly.
Please, tell us what you did. Did you have paid leave when you needed it? If so, how much? If you didn't, what did you do? Take unpaid time? Return to work quickly? What impact do you think that had on your family?
Your personal stories make a huge difference when we're talking to legislators. Tales of parents who have to choose between being there for their newborn children or sick family members, or losing days or weeks of needed pay, help legislators understand the reality of the challenges Oregon's families face. Please help us by sharing your story.
