About the Paper

Download Paper

The paper compares leave experiences of low-wage and non-low wage workers using data from the 2018 Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Employee Survey. It finds that in some ways experiences are similar—both groups take needed leave at similar rates for similar reasons. In other ways experiences are very different and worse for low-wage workers—they less commonly have access to paid leave or are eligible for FMLA protections and more commonly face adverse financial and job consequences from taking leave.

Key Takeaways

• Low-wage and non-low-wage workers who needed leave within the past year (prior to the survey) took leave at similar rates and for similar reasons.
• About half of low-wage workers (52 percent) report having access to paid leave for their own serious health condition compared to 80 percent of non-low-wage workers.
• A higher percentage of low-wage workers borrow money (41 vs. 26 percent) or go on public assistance (26 vs. 7 percent) to cover lost wages compared to non-low-wage workers.
• About one third of low-wage workers are eligible for FMLA (38 percent) versus about two thirds of non-low-wage workers (63 percent).
• A higher percentage of low-wage workers report job loss as a result of taking leave than non-low wage workers (18 vs. 5 percent).
• Among FMLA-eligible workers who did not take any needed leave, about two thirds of low-wage workers (64 percent) cite fear of job loss versus one third of non-low-wage workers.

Citation

Brown, S., Roy, R., Klerman, J. A. (2020). Abt Associates. Leave Experiences of Low-Wage Workers. Chief Evaluation Office, U.S. Department of Labor.

Download Paper   View Study Profile

The Department of Labor’s (DOL) Chief Evaluation Office (CEO) sponsors independent evaluations and research, primarily conducted by external, third-party contractors in accordance with the Department of Labor Evaluation Policy and CEO’s research development process.