http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/08/the-family-and-medical-leave-act-20-years-later/?ref=economy
Tyson believes that it is time to consider extending the Family and Medical Leave Act to provide all workers with access to paid family and medical leaves that are job-protected and include some financial support. Researchers at the Center for American Progress have outlined a plan, called Social Security Cares, to achieve this goal. Social Security Cares is a family and medical leave insurance program that would cover all workers for the same life events covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act and offer partial wage replacement. The Social Security Administration would administer the program, which would be paid for with a small increase in the payroll tax.
The Family and Medical Leave Act, 20 Years Later
In This Article Tyson discusses the Affects of the Family and Medical leave act, passed by Bill Clinton in his first term as president. Tyson believes that the act has been beneficial, Although the provided leave is unpaid, it ensures job protection and the extension of health insurance when workers are temporarily unable to work for medical or family reasons. Moreover, a just-published Labor Department survey finds that most employees who take leave for family and medical reasons receive partial pay (17 percent) or full pay (48 percent ) for short leaves (fewer than 10 days), often drawing on paid leave days they have accrued during the previous year.
The Labor Department survey also reveals how American workers choose to use their rights under the law. About 16 percent of covered and eligible workers under the Family and Medical Leave Act took leave last year, a share comparable to that in 2000. About 5 percent reported that they needed leave but were unable to take it, primarily because they could not afford to sacrifice their pay. This is about double the share in 2000 when real median wages and family incomes were higher. About 57 percent of all leaves are taken by workers because of their own medical conditions, with another 22 percent for pregnancy or birth of a child and 20 percent to care for a sick family member.
Tyson believes that it is time to consider extending the Family and Medical Leave Act to provide all workers with access to paid family and medical leaves that are job-protected and include some financial support. Researchers at the Center for American Progress have outlined a plan, called Social Security Cares, to achieve this goal. Social Security Cares is a family and medical leave insurance program that would cover all workers for the same life events covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act and offer partial wage replacement. The Social Security Administration would administer the program, which would be paid for with a small increase in the payroll tax.
I do agree with Tyson in extending the Family and Medical Leave Act to provide all workers with access to paid family and medical leaves. In our economy where it is already so difficult to find a job, one can't certainly afford to lose one's job when having to leave work due to family and/or medical issues. Like it or not, family and health are way more importance than work. If this act is not extended to all workers, some people are not going to be able to leave work. Thus, it is likely that we would become a society where work is valued over family and health, like that of Japan. In such a working environment, people are more likely to develop depression and other critical health issues which has led to multiple deaths in Japan.
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