5 thoughts on “Problem Memorandum: Paid Parental Leave”
The biggest incentive for US government to enforce paid family leave is the return in productivity and retention that would benefit companies and overall the economy. Retention can be measured but the benefits from increased productivity cannot always be categorized. By creating a type of environment where employees receives the necessary support from their job, both parties stand to benefit. A relatable topic such as this can generate enough attention to put pressure on state governments for change. The facts used do well to defend your point, especially when stating the responsibility of government at the end of the memorandum.
The memo is great in highlighting just how far behind other comparably developed nations in such an important issue. Quyen, you did a great job in highlighting the policy, providing supporting statistics and providing a clear view of the may ways the whole family is being done a disservice by not honoring the process of parenthood. Great post!
The memo provides a convincing argument for action, supported by a variety of data. I remember reading about the California-example, which is funded by a tax on employees. The study also found that lower-income women are less-likely to take advantage of the policy (or be aware of it), and as such the policy is to some extent regressive as lower-income workers subsidizing middle-income women, who are more likely to take advantage of the policy. I thought the observations might be informative in the next stages of the policy-process.
It is terrible that in America, a country that other nations strive to be like, we are so behind on such a basic issue as parental leave. New mothers often have to go back to work after only six weeks of leave, and when they go back to work they have to hire a babysitter which is a significant expense that is usually comparable to the mother’s wages. Personally I think parental leave should be based on a model similar to unemployment insurance; every business would pay a small tax and the funds would be used to pay for three months of leave for eligible new parents. It’s going to take years of advocacy to get paid parental leave in the United States, but if other countries can do it, so can we.
The biggest incentive for US government to enforce paid family leave is the return in productivity and retention that would benefit companies and overall the economy. Retention can be measured but the benefits from increased productivity cannot always be categorized. By creating a type of environment where employees receives the necessary support from their job, both parties stand to benefit. A relatable topic such as this can generate enough attention to put pressure on state governments for change. The facts used do well to defend your point, especially when stating the responsibility of government at the end of the memorandum.
Thanks for the feedback!
The memo is great in highlighting just how far behind other comparably developed nations in such an important issue. Quyen, you did a great job in highlighting the policy, providing supporting statistics and providing a clear view of the may ways the whole family is being done a disservice by not honoring the process of parenthood. Great post!
The memo provides a convincing argument for action, supported by a variety of data. I remember reading about the California-example, which is funded by a tax on employees. The study also found that lower-income women are less-likely to take advantage of the policy (or be aware of it), and as such the policy is to some extent regressive as lower-income workers subsidizing middle-income women, who are more likely to take advantage of the policy. I thought the observations might be informative in the next stages of the policy-process.
It is terrible that in America, a country that other nations strive to be like, we are so behind on such a basic issue as parental leave. New mothers often have to go back to work after only six weeks of leave, and when they go back to work they have to hire a babysitter which is a significant expense that is usually comparable to the mother’s wages. Personally I think parental leave should be based on a model similar to unemployment insurance; every business would pay a small tax and the funds would be used to pay for three months of leave for eligible new parents. It’s going to take years of advocacy to get paid parental leave in the United States, but if other countries can do it, so can we.