Parents need time with their children in order to ensure
healthy development, and our communities benefit from healthier children
who can one day contribute to local economies. Unfortunately, employer
policies in the United States are lagging behind those of other
developed countries in following this logic.
In 2012, both parents worked out of the home in 59
percent of households in the United States, and they spent an average of
just 16 hours a week with their children. Parents report wanting to
spend more time with their children, but inflexible work policies don’t
allow it – even when there is critical need, like illness. The great
majority of U.S. workers do not have paid family leave through their
employers, meaning that most parents must take unpaid time off when a
baby is born, or struggle to find childcare when a child is sick. In
fact, almost one in four adults report that they have lost a job or have
been threatened with job loss to care for a sick child.
But while all children need bonding time with parents,
babies and very young children fare better the more time that they have.
Consider a recent study from Harvard Medical School that found for each
additional month a baby is breast-fed, their verbal ability was higher
at age 3, and I.Q. scores were higher at age 7. Unfortunately, most
mothers – especially those working in low-income jobs – don’t have the
work flexibility needed to breastfeed for long periods of time and
cannot meet the breastfeeding recommendations of healthcare providers.
In fact, about half of mothers are back at work within 40 days and do
not continue breastfeeding.
When parents cannot take time off from their jobs, or are
only given the option of taking unpaid time off to care for their
children, they risk severe financial insecurity and this insecurity
threatens the general wellbeing of their children. These effects are
most acutely felt in low-income communities where children are already
at risk, and where high quality childcare is not an option.
The business community plays a critical role in
voluntarily stepping up and establishing workplace policies that benefit
them and their families. Various employers across the country are
showing support for work-family balance, and are taking the lead in
recognizing that a secure workforce is good for business and good for
the economy. These employers are offering options like part-time work,
flexible scheduling, earned sick days, and telecommuting. By providing
earned leave benefits for parents, businesses can help secure stronger
workplaces and communities.
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