Balancing work and family

This month all Americans can celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Family & Medical Leave Act going into effect. In the past decade, more than 40 million U.S. workers have been able to take time off from work to be with their new baby, to care for a seriously ill family member or to recover from their own serious illness without fear of losing their jobs. U.S. families are healthier and stronger because of the FMLA and businesses have found that making the workplace more family-friendly has made workers more dedicated and productive, while reducing costly turnover.

Washington state has much to be proud of. Legislation that passed here in 1988 and 1989 helped pioneer family leave policy, spurring the U.S. Congress to act in 1993. But FMLA didn't go far enough.

FMLA provides only for unpaid leave, a significant obstacle for families who work to make ends meet.

FMLA is available only to workers in companies with 50 or more employees, leaving out 45 percent of the work force.

And FMLA does not help workers who cannot take a day off when their child has a minor illness and can't go to school or day care.

Every industrialized country in the world with the exception of the United States and Australia has figured out a way to provide paid maternity leave.

Progress is being made to close the gaps in the FMLA, and again, Washington state is taking a lead role. Last year our Legislature extended the state Family Care Act. As of Jan. 1 of this year, all workers in Washington can use their existing paid leave to care for a sick child, spouse, parent, parent-in-law or grandparent who requires care. This is an important step.

But more can be done.

State Sen. Karen Keiser and state Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson introduced bills last year that would assure all workers have access to a minimum amount of paid leave after six months on the job. While many of us take for granted having some paid sick leave or vacation, low-wage and part-time workers often receive no benefits. At least half a million Washington workers never earn paid leave, no matter how long they have been on their job.

Minimum paid leave is a start. Providing income security for families facing a medical crisis or welcoming a new child is the next step. California already has enacted an employee-paid insurance program that will partially replace a worker's wages for up to six weeks while caring for a new child or a seriously ill family member. Other states are considering adopting similar programs.

At the federal level, a bill is before Congress to expand the FMLA. Washington's Sen. Patty Murray, who has championed family-friendly laws since her days as a state legislator, is among the sponsors of legislation to extend FMLA protections to significantly more workers.

On the 10th anniversary of the FMLA making the balance between work and family a little easier, Americans have much to celebrate. We can also see clearly what more we need to do.

Marilyn P. Watkins is the policy director at the Economic Opportunity Institute in Seattle; Judith L. Lichtman is the president of the Washington, D.C.-based National Partnership for Women & Families.

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