The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) called on Congress to advance the FAMILY Act—a measure the organization called critically important legislation that would establish the nation’s first-ever federal insurance program for paid family and medical leave, according to a press release.
Reintroduced in Congress on Feb. 12 by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Connecticut) and presidential candidate/Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York), the LGBTQ-inclusive measure would ensure employees have access to 12 weeks of partial income if they take time off for their health; a health problem of a child, parent, spouse or domestic partner; the birth or adoption of a child; or military caregiving and leave purposes.
Only 45 percent of respondents reported that their employers offer leave policies—paid or unpaid—that are inclusive of LGBTQ families and identities, according to a HRC Foundation report that is at http://assets2.hrc.org/files/assets/resources/2018-HRC-LGBTQ-Paid-Leave-Survey.pdf.
Currently, only 13 percent of the workforce receives paid family leave from their employer, and less than 40 percent have personal medical leave from a disability program provided through their workplace.
HRC also released a corresponding video, “It’s Time for Paid Leave for All Families.” It is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk0QwDxS7wY&feature=youtu.be.