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If you've been paying attention to the political news in the past couple of years, you know that the U.S. stands virtually alone in not mandating paid leave of any type for its workers.
It's hard to miss; the topic has become a top talking point for Democratic politicians. Hillary Clinton is advocating for stronger paid-leave policies on the campaign trail. In her Monday economic address, Clinton called for paid family leave as a way of helping women stay in the workforce. Sen. Bernie Sanders, her closest rival for the Democratic nomination, has advocated both paid vacation and paid maternity leave on the campaign trail. In addition, some cities and states have started instituting their own sick leave policies.
President Obama likewise brought new attention to paid leave this year as well, when he pointed out in his State of the Union address that the U.S. is the only advanced economy that doesn't mandate paid sick or maternity leave for its workers.
He was right about that — it's true that most American workers are covered by the Family Medical Leave Act, which allows workers up to 12 weeks of leave per year to care for family members. But that leave is unpaid.
Here, for example, is where the U.S. stands on paid maternity leave in comparison with other countries in the OECD, a group of highly developed economies:
The U.S. is the only one that doesn't mandate paid maternity leave. Likewise, the U.S. is one of nine OECD countries that have no leave policies in place for fathers.
It's not just parental leave, of course — when it comes to vacation, the U.S. is also unique. The chart below shows combined mandatory vacation days and federal holidays in all OECD nations. All of the U.S. days represented below are federal holidays (which are also not guaranteed days off for all workers); the rest of the nations mandate paid vacation days in addition.
It's a similar story on sick days — among high-income countries, the U.S. alone does not mandate sick leave, according to data compiled by the World Policy Forum.
I might be open to discussion, with a caveat...Republican family value supporters can't stand this idea.
Lots Of Other Countries Mandate Paid Leave. Why Not The U.S.?
If you've been paying attention to the political news in the past couple of years, you know that the U.S. stands virtually alone in not mandating paid leave of any type for its workers.
It's hard to miss; the topic has become a top talking point for Democratic politicians. Hillary Clinton is advocating for stronger paid-leave policies on the campaign trail. In her Monday economic address, Clinton called for paid family leave as a way of helping women stay in the workforce. Sen. Bernie Sanders, her closest rival for the Democratic nomination, has advocated both paid vacation and paid maternity leave on the campaign trail. In addition, some cities and states have started instituting their own sick leave policies.
President Obama likewise brought new attention to paid leave this year as well, when he pointed out in his State of the Union address that the U.S. is the only advanced economy that doesn't mandate paid sick or maternity leave for its workers.
He was right about that — it's true that most American workers are covered by the Family Medical Leave Act, which allows workers up to 12 weeks of leave per year to care for family members. But that leave is unpaid.
Here, for example, is where the U.S. stands on paid maternity leave in comparison with other countries in the OECD, a group of highly developed economies:
The U.S. is the only one that doesn't mandate paid maternity leave. Likewise, the U.S. is one of nine OECD countries that have no leave policies in place for fathers.
It's not just parental leave, of course — when it comes to vacation, the U.S. is also unique. The chart below shows combined mandatory vacation days and federal holidays in all OECD nations. All of the U.S. days represented below are federal holidays (which are also not guaranteed days off for all workers); the rest of the nations mandate paid vacation days in addition.
It's a similar story on sick days — among high-income countries, the U.S. alone does not mandate sick leave, according to data compiled by the World Policy Forum.
I care what other countries do, I want america to be better for working families, I am a supporter of family values.Who gives a shit what other countries do?
The government should never be in the business of telling employers what to do when it comes to compensation.
Compensation should be between an employer and employee. The government should never interfere. That is not a proper role of government.
That's my point. I DO want to improve it, that's why I suggested you leave.Typical right wing response, who cares about trying to improve our own country.Feel free to move to any of those other countries if they'll let you in.
Great idea, let everyone on the left leave so we can have an authoritarian right wing theocracy with the old testament in charge.That's my point. I DO want to improve it, that's why I suggested you leave.Typical right wing response, who cares about trying to improve our own country.Feel free to move to any of those other countries if they'll let you in.
No, just you.Great idea, let everyone on the left leave so we can have an authoritarian right wing theocracy with the old testament in charge.That's my point. I DO want to improve it, that's why I suggested you leave.Typical right wing response, who cares about trying to improve our own country.Feel free to move to any of those other countries if they'll let you in.
Great idea, let everyone on the left leave so we can have an authoritarian right wing theocracy with the old testament in charge.
[Q
I care what other countries do, I want america to be better for working families, I am a supporter of family values.
[Q
I care what other countries do, I want america to be better for working families, I am a supporter of family values.
We all want better everything but we don't want the friggin government running our lives. At least I don't,maybe you do.
If you want paid leave then negotiate it with your employer. Keep the government out it. It is none of their business.
[Q
They're already involved so if you don't like it maybe you can leave.
Maybe its a thing called work ethic, pride, responsibility. The very same principles that made this country great and pushed this country to the top. But then again if its a free lunch you want, no accountability, don't give a shit about if the company you work for is prosperous enough to keep your pathetic sorry ass around, and need the government to determine your standard of living, then as another contributor posted, get the F--K out of here because you are the problem!
