The United States is on the brink of passing a federal paid family leave policy embedded in the $3.5 trillion human infrastructure package, at the heart of President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better Act. This policy, if implemented, would allow workers up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave. However, there’s uncertainty about whether the family leave provision will sustain the legislative process, thereby generating momentum for advocates of paid family leave, including public figures like Melinda Gates and actress Mandy Moore.

Many families, particularly working moms, are under significant strain from the dual impact of childcare and economic crises brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. Approximately 3.5 million moms of school-age children reduced active work, moved to paid or unpaid leave, lost jobs, or exited the workforce entirely during the pandemic. The proposal for paid leave is, thus, timely.

Should the provision pass, it allows US workers to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave for welcoming children, caring for family members, and managing serious medical conditions. One only needs a recent wage history, which determines the pay received during leave. The government would pay the leave charges, not the respective employers. The current Family and Medical Leave Act in the U.S only provides time off for certain cases without the assurance of pay.

The paid family and medical leave provision is part of a budget reconciliation bill centered on human infrastructure and social spending that passed through the U.S. House committees. It is now subject to negotiation together with a bipartisan infrastructure bill focusing on investments in the nation’s physical infrastructure. If approved, it would take effect in June 2023.

There will be no alteration to existing paid leave policies of private employers that meet the federal standard. Currently, only about one-fifth of private-sector employees have access to paid family and medical leave. This gap, if filled by the new policy, could be transformative for families and employees.

For information on how to contact Paid Family Leave in relation to these potential changes, visit eddcaller.com. The site offers comprehensive contact details and instructions on how to get through to the Paid Family Leave service for further details and enquiries.