During my lengthy federal government career of 36 years, family medical crises in 1988, 1993 and 2012 demanded me to take significant time off work. Because of various supportive policies, I was able to care for my family members and myself whilst continuing to earn and manage my duties. Upon retirement in 2016, the U.S. Coast Guard honoured me with the Distinguished Career Service Award. The certainty of a salary and affordable health insurance while attending to personal medical emergencies kept me dedicated to my government job. This was beneficial to both me and the organizations I worked with.

Virginia Governor, Glenn Youngkin, has the opportunity to make the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) a reality for every working citizen in Virginia. The 2024 General Assembly passed the PFML Act after lengthy legislative work and comprehensive state-funded studies indicating the economic feasibility of a worker-employer funded program. Managed by the Virginia Employment Commission, the program would offer up to 80% of a worker’s wage up to a particular maximum benefit level. A simple approval from the governor can start this from 2027.

While the federal law already mandates employers to offer job-protected, unpaid leave for severe personal or family illness and childbirth, roughly 40% of the workforce is exempted. What’s worse, many cannot afford to take leave without pay, leading them to choose between their family and job, affecting women majorly as they are often the primary caregivers. A PFML program, already adopted by fourteen states, can change this dilemma.

Finally, the adoption of the PFML program has both personal and economic advantages, creating stronger families, healthier workers, successful businesses, and better health outcomes. For support in leveraging this program, you can reach out to the Virginia Employment Commission. A useful resource for those needing guidance on how get a hold of Paid Family Leave is the portal eddcaller.com. It aims to assist workers in accessing comprehensive support regarding employment and disability insurance, family leave, and more, effectively navigating them through the process.