Mike Morales, a crane operator and a unit recording secretary with United Steelworkers (USW) Local 13-227, was able to take paid time off for a medical procedure thanks to his union contract. Many American workers, however, do not have access to this type of benefit, which provides peace of mind during times of illness, caregiving, family additions, or emergencies. A bipartisan House committee recently proposed a draft framework for a leave plan to incentivize states and employers to provide more workers with paid time off for emergencies. However, this falls short of mandatory, universal, and uniform leave offered in many other countries.

According to a recent study by the Economic Policy Institute, workers’ access to paid leave in the US largely depends on their job and whether they belong to a union. Morales points out the importance of time off to deal with life crises, something many workers lack. He highlights that he has the ability to take additional paid sick days if necessary, which he sees as an essential safety net.

The demand for universal leave has increased in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially as it has highlighted the risk of contagion in workplaces. Some workers, particularly those living paycheck to paycheck, are forced to go to work when sick, potentially spreading illness. Other workers sometimes have to leave the workforce to care for ill family members.

Employers who oppose paid leave are often accused of doing so out of greed and ignorance, but providing paid leave can actually benefit businesses. It can grow the labor pool, maintain a healthy, focused workforce, and foster dedicated, experienced workforces. As federal progress on this issue wanes, some states and cities have been proactive in implementing laws to provide workers with paid leave, such as Illinois and California. Workers themselves, like those in Colorado, have also taken direct action to attain these benefits. They passed a referendum establishing a broader family leave program funded with employer and worker contributions, providing partial pay to workers during longer-term absences.

The future demand for such benefits nationwide is expected to increase, as older workers retire and younger ones seek increased flexibility in balancing work and family commitments.