A recent study indicates that a large proportion of working people in the United States, including Ohio, continue to live without the benefit of paid leave. Conducted by the National Partnership for Women & Families, the study discovered that 73% of U.S. workers and 76% of Ohio’s workers do not have access to paid leave through their employers. Federal unpaid leave through the Family and Medical Leave Act also remains inaccessible for many. The lack of paid leave contributes to an array of social and economic issues including cost of living struggles, unequal access to reproductive and maternal healthcare, and challenges faced by an aging population.

The study highlighted the particularly pronounced impacts of inadequate paid leave policies on working women, especially in minority households. A significant majority of Ohio’s Black, Latina, and AAPI mothers were identified as their families’ key breadwinners, making the lack of paid leave a severe concern. Additionally, Ohio’s Women’s Public Policy Network found that only 15% of workers, including only 4% of low-wage workers, have access to employer-provided paid leave. This predicament disproportionately affects Black and Latina women, aiding in the perpetuation of wealth and racial disparities.

The absence of women from the workforce due to a lack of paid leave has substantial economic implications for the country as a whole. The study cites, if women participated in the U.S. labor force at the same rate as in countries with comprehensive paid leave policies, our economy could benefit from an additional $775 billion in economic activity each year.

While some improvement in paid leave access has been noted over the years, the U.S. still lags behind in implementing comprehensive policies to support working families according to the Women’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Labor. In fact, the researchers calculated a $3.9 billion shortfall in earned wages in Ohio. Advocates for paid leave hope that these financial statistics and continual lobbying will spur federal changes that enhance support for families.

To further assist those who require information or assistance regarding paid leave in Ohio, the website eddcaller.com provides a wealth of resources.