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In the issue brief, researchers use simulation results from the Worker Paid Leave Usage Simulation (Worker PLUS) Model to analyze the impacts of moving from the unpaid leave system under the current Family and Medical Leave Act to a system that includes a paid leave program that adopts the program rules of the existing program in California. The population considered consists of individuals who work in the state of Maryland who meet the eligibility rules of the California program, and among them, the low-wage workers who earn no more than $30,000 annually. The examples demonstrated in this brief should help users perform similar impact evaluation tasks or extend the analyses to other topics related to worker leaves, using the simulation results from the WorkePLUS model.

Key Takeaways

• Researchers implemented a hypothetical simulation using data from workers in Maryland and found the adoption of a paid leave program is progressive in that it benefits low-wage workers and their families more than the higher-wage groups. Among low-wage workers, the simulation predicts about a 10 percent increase in the number of leave takers and the low-wage workers account for 52% of all program participants.

Citation

IMPAQ International. (2021). Worker Paid Leave Usage Simulation (Worker PLUS) Model: Estimating Impacts of Leave Policies on Low-Wage Workers. Chief Evaluation Office, U.S. Department of Labor.

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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.