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Hannah Jones, from Philadelphia, believes that paid medical leave has played a crucial role in her survival after being diagnoses with an aggressive form of breast cancer. Her employer's policy allowed her to take time off for chemotherapy and surgery without worrying about work. It also ensured that she did not have to delay treatments. This was a factor doctors emphasized was critical.
“I am cancer-free because I followed the treatment plan,” said Jones, 35, to Associated Press. “Paid leave made a huge difference in my survival.”
An increasing number of states have now implemented laws that require employers to provide paid leaves. Advocates argue that these policies reduce the financial stress and also improve worker productivity. However, some businesses struggle with the added costs and compliance challenges.
What this means is that paid family and medical leave allows workers time off for personal health and also the caregiving responsibilities. Additionally, many states and cities have mandated paid sick leave for short-term illnesses. While some employers voluntarily offer these benefits. However, only 13 states and Washington D.C. require paid family and medical leave.
Some states now have also introduced certain leave policies. For instance, New York recently enacted paid leave for prenatal checkups. Other laws cover time off for domestic violence survivors and caregivers.
Unlike most developed countries, the U.S. has no federal law guaranteeing paid leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act only ensures unpaid time off and excludes employees of small businesses.
According to UCLA’s World Policy Analysis Center, 95% of countries offer some form of paid leave, often for significant durations. “The U.S. is a major outlier,” said researcher Aleta Sprague.
Supporters argue that paid sick leave prevents disease spread and enhances workplace productivity by reducing “presenteeism”—when employees work while sick. For those with serious illnesses, paid leave ensures focus on recovery rather than financial survival.
Jones, for instance, took Fridays off for chemotherapy, allowing her to recover over the weekend before resuming work. Without paid leave, she and her husband might have had to deplete savings or sell their home to cover medical expenses.
Small businesses, however, often struggle with these mandates. Skye Nevada, who runs a catering business in Alaska, said her company had to cancel hiring plans due to the costs of paid sick leave requirements.
Additionally, businesses operating across multiple states face compliance challenges due to varying leave laws. For employees, disparities between state policies can also create difficulties. Jones’ New York-based employer provided leave, but her husband’s Pennsylvania employer did not, forcing their family to rely on relatives for support during her treatment.
Image Credit: Canva
Hannah Jones, from Philadelphia, believes that paid medical leave has played a crucial role in her survival after being diagnoses with an aggressive form of breast cancer. Her employer's policy allowed her to take time off for chemotherapy and surgery without worrying about work. It also ensured that she did not have to delay treatments. This was a factor doctors emphasized was critical.
“I am cancer-free because I followed the treatment plan,” said Jones, 35, to Associated Press. “Paid leave made a huge difference in my survival.”
An increasing number of states have now implemented laws that require employers to provide paid leaves. Advocates argue that these policies reduce the financial stress and also improve worker productivity. However, some businesses struggle with the added costs and compliance challenges.
What this means is that paid family and medical leave allows workers time off for personal health and also the caregiving responsibilities. Additionally, many states and cities have mandated paid sick leave for short-term illnesses. While some employers voluntarily offer these benefits. However, only 13 states and Washington D.C. require paid family and medical leave.
Some states now have also introduced certain leave policies. For instance, New York recently enacted paid leave for prenatal checkups. Other laws cover time off for domestic violence survivors and caregivers.
Unlike most developed countries, the U.S. has no federal law guaranteeing paid leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act only ensures unpaid time off and excludes employees of small businesses.
According to UCLA’s World Policy Analysis Center, 95% of countries offer some form of paid leave, often for significant durations. “The U.S. is a major outlier,” said researcher Aleta Sprague.
Supporters argue that paid sick leave prevents disease spread and enhances workplace productivity by reducing “presenteeism”—when employees work while sick. For those with serious illnesses, paid leave ensures focus on recovery rather than financial survival.
Jones, for instance, took Fridays off for chemotherapy, allowing her to recover over the weekend before resuming work. Without paid leave, she and her husband might have had to deplete savings or sell their home to cover medical expenses.
Small businesses, however, often struggle with these mandates. Skye Nevada, who runs a catering business in Alaska, said her company had to cancel hiring plans due to the costs of paid sick leave requirements.
Additionally, businesses operating across multiple states face compliance challenges due to varying leave laws. For employees, disparities between state policies can also create difficulties. Jones’ New York-based employer provided leave, but her husband’s Pennsylvania employer did not, forcing their family to rely on relatives for support during her treatment.
Credit: Canva
Hannah Jones, from Philadelphia, believes that paid medical leave has played a crucial role in her survival after being diagnoses with an aggressive form of breast cancer. Her employer's policy allowed her to take time off for chemotherapy and surgery without worrying about work. It also ensured that she did not have to delay treatments. This was a factor doctors emphasized was critical.
“I am cancer-free because I followed the treatment plan,” said Jones, 35, to Associated Press. “Paid leave made a huge difference in my survival.”
An increasing number of states have now implemented laws that require employers to provide paid leaves. Advocates argue that these policies reduce the financial stress and also improve worker productivity. However, some businesses struggle with the added costs and compliance challenges.
What this means is that paid family and medical leave allows workers time off for personal health and also the caregiving responsibilities. Additionally, many states and cities have mandated paid sick leave for short-term illnesses. While some employers voluntarily offer these benefits. However, only 13 states and Washington D.C. require paid family and medical leave.
Some states now have also introduced certain leave policies. For instance, New York recently enacted paid leave for prenatal checkups. Other laws cover time off for domestic violence survivors and caregivers.
Unlike most developed countries, the U.S. has no federal law guaranteeing paid leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act only ensures unpaid time off and excludes employees of small businesses.
According to UCLA’s World Policy Analysis Center, 95% of countries offer some form of paid leave, often for significant durations. “The U.S. is a major outlier,” said researcher Aleta Sprague.
Supporters argue that paid sick leave prevents disease spread and enhances workplace productivity by reducing “presenteeism”—when employees work while sick. For those with serious illnesses, paid leave ensures focus on recovery rather than financial survival.
Jones, for instance, took Fridays off for chemotherapy, allowing her to recover over the weekend before resuming work. Without paid leave, she and her husband might have had to deplete savings or sell their home to cover medical expenses.
Small businesses, however, often struggle with these mandates. Skye Nevada, who runs a catering business in Alaska, said her company had to cancel hiring plans due to the costs of paid sick leave requirements.
Additionally, businesses operating across multiple states face compliance challenges due to varying leave laws. For employees, disparities between state policies can also create difficulties. Jones’ New York-based employer provided leave, but her husband’s Pennsylvania employer did not, forcing their family to rely on relatives for support during her treatment.
Credit: Canva
Hannah Jones, from Philadelphia, believes that paid medical leave has played a crucial role in her survival after being diagnoses with an aggressive form of breast cancer. Her employer's policy allowed her to take time off for chemotherapy and surgery without worrying about work. It also ensured that she did not have to delay treatments. This was a factor doctors emphasized was critical.
“I am cancer-free because I followed the treatment plan,” said Jones, 35, to Associated Press. “Paid leave made a huge difference in my survival.”
An increasing number of states have now implemented laws that require employers to provide paid leaves. Advocates argue that these policies reduce the financial stress and also improve worker productivity. However, some businesses struggle with the added costs and compliance challenges.
What this means is that paid family and medical leave allows workers time off for personal health and also the caregiving responsibilities. Additionally, many states and cities have mandated paid sick leave for short-term illnesses. While some employers voluntarily offer these benefits. However, only 13 states and Washington D.C. require paid family and medical leave.
Some states now have also introduced certain leave policies. For instance, New York recently enacted paid leave for prenatal checkups. Other laws cover time off for domestic violence survivors and caregivers.
Unlike most developed countries, the U.S. has no federal law guaranteeing paid leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act only ensures unpaid time off and excludes employees of small businesses.
According to UCLA’s World Policy Analysis Center, 95% of countries offer some form of paid leave, often for significant durations. “The U.S. is a major outlier,” said researcher Aleta Sprague.
Supporters argue that paid sick leave prevents disease spread and enhances workplace productivity by reducing “presenteeism”—when employees work while sick. For those with serious illnesses, paid leave ensures focus on recovery rather than financial survival.
Jones, for instance, took Fridays off for chemotherapy, allowing her to recover over the weekend before resuming work. Without paid leave, she and her husband might have had to deplete savings or sell their home to cover medical expenses.
Small businesses, however, often struggle with these mandates. Skye Nevada, who runs a catering business in Alaska, said her company had to cancel hiring plans due to the costs of paid sick leave requirements.
Additionally, businesses operating across multiple states face compliance challenges due to varying leave laws. For employees, disparities between state policies can also create difficulties. Jones’ New York-based employer provided leave, but her husband’s Pennsylvania employer did not, forcing their family to rely on relatives for support during her treatment.