The Conversation: Paid family leave
Every week, we ask our listeners questions about how economic and financial issues are impacting them in their everyday lives. Last week, we asked you what paid family leave means for you, and whether you think it should be provided by the government.
We heard back from a wide variety of people. Some wrote to us to say they think paid family leave should be determined by employers and employees – not funded at all by state or federal taxes, and not mandated by the government.
A few parents told us stories of how paid family leave impacted their own choices about having kids. Jessica French in Chicago told us she left her full time HR job to have her kids because childcare was so expensive. She supports paid family leave, but recognizes the challenges of making it mandatory for companies to provide. Sean Moran in Levittown, PA, says that even though his wife was laid off after she had their second daughter, he’s not on board with a federal or state paid leave program.
People without kids weighed in, too. Liz Lopez in Mountain View, CA says that she and her fiance considered paid family leave when they were searching for jobs, and that she’s even asked about it in interviews. Matt Nicholson told us that even though he’s single and has no kids of his own, his definition of patriotism includes compassion for all Americans – and in this case, helping to foot the bill for paid family leave.
What do you think? Join the discussion on Twitter – we’re @MarketplaceWKND.
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