Labor Department announces $1M to study paid-leave programs

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that $1 million will be available to research and analyze how paid-leave programs can be developed and implemented across the country.

U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez will discuss the availability of this funding at a roundtable discussion later today at the department’s headquarters in the Frances Perkins Building. The event will include leaders from Nestlé, Spotify, Patagonia and other businesses to examine the growing momentum behind paid family and medical leave across the U.S.

“We need to do more to give people the tools they need to succeed at work and home, so they don’t have to choose between the families they love and the jobs they need,” said Secretary Perez. “A growing body of research demonstrates that investing in paid family and medical leave is good for families, good for businesses and good for the economy overall. We are proud to support efforts that would expand access to these programs.”

Greater access to paid leave is a priority for the Obama administration. A number of state and local governments have adopted or are now considering paid-leave legislation. This grant program will enable similar actions in other jurisdictions. The funding opportunity announcement outlines the grant priorities, evaluation factors, and application guidance for up to six competitive grants.

The department’s Women’s Bureau will administer the funding opportunity. This is the third year of funding, building upon the 2014 and 2015 grant programs, through which the bureau awarded over $2 million to support paid-leave studies.

“Today, women make up nearly half of the labor force and are increasingly the primary and co-breadwinners of their families. More than 30 million of America’s working families have young children. Every year, roughly 40 million Americans provide unpaid care for elderly relatives and loved ones. These grants build on the work that many states are doing to implement 21st century workplace policies that meet the needs of working women and families,” said Women’s Bureau Director Latifa Lyles.

The Family and Medical Leave Act guarantees unpaid, job-protected leave for workers to care for their newborn or newly adopted children, their family members with serious health conditions, and their own serious health conditions. Many workers – especially low-wage workers – cannot afford to take unpaid time off.

Paid family and medical-leave programs help workers with caregiving responsibilities and serious health needs remain in the workforce. At the same time, studies show paid maternity and paternity leave improves health outcomes for children. With this grant program, the department is taking a critical step toward helping jurisdictions throughout the U.S. develop the administrative and financial infrastructure necessary to meet the realities of today's working families while also bolstering the nation’s long-term economic success.

For more information, visit http://www.dol.gov/paidleave.