Paid Family Leave is law

by: Juan Melli

Fri May 02, 2008 at 03:49:28 PM EDT

Thurman Hart guest writes at the DMI Blog about how his family relied on the Federal Medical Leave Act, and how much more useful New Jersey's law will be to struggling families.

What business leaders have to learn is that helping their employees deal with life isn't anti-business. California has shown that absenteeism and job abandonment decline when people can take time off of work to help their families. That should be a no-brainer. A worker who is distracted by thoughts of their sick child or ailing parent is not a productive worker. FMLA is a boon to families who can afford to take it, but there are very few families who can totally forego a paycheck for an extended period. This is life in America in the twenty-first century. Fortunately, public policy in New Jersey is catching up.

"This family leave insurance bill is personally significant to me. When I was in the hospital after my accident last spring, it was the strong support from my family that kept me going. I was fortunate my family members had the flexibility to be there for me, day-in and day-out. But not everyone has that luxury.

I believe the daily reality of the lives of New Jersey families makes this historic law a necessity. I am confident this self-funded family insurance program will improve family life, fill a gap in our social contract with our citizens, and attract workers to this state. More than ever, I am proud to sign this bill into law on behalf of all working New Jerseyans."

"By now, you all know of my strong conviction for this legislation, because I was in a similar situation when my 14 year-old daughter, Lauren was born.  My employer was understanding, and allowed me to take the time I needed.  Had my employment situation been different, I could have had a difficult time balancing spending the 75 days at the hospital with my newborn daughter, or going to work to provide for my wife and young son.  This new law is aimed at helping workers whose employers won't allow them to take this necessary leave time."

"This is a good day for workers and their families because we've injected some heart into the world of business. This new law will help families deal with what's really important in life - being there for loved ones in times of need."

"I am predicting once again that the sky will not fall now that this bill has been signed into law after what has been a 12-year struggle for working families. Just the way the sky stayed put when we lowered the blood alcohol limit for drunken driving, banned smoking in public places and passed a 48-hour stay for new moms and their babies, life as we know it will continue - and families will be much better off - now that we finally have paid family leave."

"If time with a loved one, a partner in life, or a newborn is missed because of work, it can't be made up. This law will ensure there's meaning in the work world to 'family values.'"