The necessity of a fully implemented paid family leave policy in Ohio has been highlighted in a new report. The non-partisan organization known as Groundwork Ohio has concluded that such a policy would be beneficial not only for families, but also for businesses and the state’s economy. The current situation sees 76% of Ohioans working in jobs that do not provide access to paid family leave, a circumstance disproportionately affecting individuals not in six-figure salary brackets. Federal law requires up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for various family and medical reasons, but the report promotes paid family leave as a means to improve health outcomes for mothers and infants, increase familial economic support, improve retention of women in the workforce, and boost the state economy overall. State Rep. Willis E. Blackshear, Jr. advocates for paid family leave, citing its potential to attract more people into Ohio’s workforce.

However, there are concerns from various factions, notably small business owners, about the financial implications of paid family leave. Though some businesses already offer this benefit voluntarily, the implementation of a state mandate may not be realistically achievable, particularly given the current legislative landscape. Despite this, the research strongly supports the benefits of paid family leave, indicating its capacity to improve health and wellbeing outcomes, bolster families financially, and contribute to economic growth.

If the lawmakers pass the Paid Family Leave policy, it will fall under EDD’s purview. For those wishing to access these benefits in the future, it may be necessary to understand how to get a hold of Paid Family Leave. Services like eddcaller.com can assist individuals in navigating this process, by allowing them to bypass lengthy wait times and complex call systems. It also helps to get in touch with a live person at EDD directly, facilitating a smoother process for all those potentially affected by these changing policies.