Parents' Day: Paid family and medical leave would make a difference for parents in Montana

Jul 20, 2018

Did you know that July 22nd is Parents’ Day? While much lesser known than Mother’s or Father’s Day, Parents’ Day is a time to celebrate parents for raising the next generation. It also reminds us to reflect on how hard parents work – whether it is in the home, the workforce, or both. Balancing work and family is challenging for parents, and they deserve workplace policies that provide them adequate time off to attend to their needs and their families’ needs without risking their economic security. That’s where paid family and medical leave would make a difference for parents in Montana.

As a result, states have started to enact their own family and medical leave policies. Today, six states and the District of Columbia, provide businesses and employees access to paid family and medical leave programs.

Paid leave helps women remain employed, earn more, and progress in their careers. In Montana, women comprise 48% of the workforce, 70% of children live in families where both parents work, and many households rely on female breadwinners for income support.

Paid Leave Helps Businesses Attract and Retain Skilled Workers

Paid leave helps businesses save money through reduced employee turnover rates. To replace a worker earning $75,000 annually, an employer faces a potential cost equal to 30% of the original employee’s income to recruit and train a new replacement.

Paid Leave Strengthens the Economy

Encouraging labor force participation among women and low-wage workers improves their financial security and helps stimulate local economies. Paid leave in Montana could keep tens of millions of dollars in the pockets of workers who will turn around and spend these dollars at local businesses, which stimulates the overall economy.

Family friendly policies could reduce public assistance use. Women with access to temporary disability insurance or paid family leave report receiving an average of $577 less in assistance income in the year following their child’s birth. Low-income women report receiving $800 less. Reducing public assistance use could save taxpayers.

When both parents have access to workplace policies that help them balance work and family demands, everyone wins. So, whether or not you are a parent, we can all agree that moms and dads make a lot of sacrifices to support their kids. The staff at MBPC is excited to continue to work with organizations and families across the state to find Montana solutions to better support workers and their families.