Today, during his State of the State Address, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced an impactful proposal to provide all state workers with 12 weeks of parental leave with full pay. “The adoption of paid family leave for state workers would help address the maternal health crisis, protect the health and wellbeing of babies, and have positive ripple effects across the state. In addition to the health benefits, when employees have access to paid family leave they are more likely to return to work and to be more productive when they do,” said Liz Morris, Co-Director of the Center for WorkLife Law.
While New Jersey was the second state in the U.S. to provide paid family leave, the existing program only provides 85% of an employee’s average wages, and is subject to a cap. The newly released New Jersey plan would add to the existing benefits so that state workers could receive all their typical income following the birth or placement of a child. “When working class parents don’t get 100% of their salary covered under a paid family leave program, they can’t afford to take the leave they need,” said Jessica Lee, Co-Director of the Center for WorkLife Law. “Governor Murphy’s common-sense proposal would close the leave affordability gap for state workers and serve as an example for employers across the state and the country.”
WorkLife Law applauds the Governor, First Lady Tammy Murphy, and the Nurture NJ team for advancing this practical solution for working parents. Across the U.S., roughly 1 in 4 mothers return to work within just two weeks of birth, largely because they cannot afford more time to recover. Studies show that providing paid parental leave reduces death in infancy and childhood, lowers hospitalization rates, and improves the health of the birthing parent. Moreover, workers who have access to paid parental leave are reported to be more productive at work and more likely to stay with their employer. We urge the widespread adoption of fully paid parental and family leave throughout the country, so that all workers and all communities can experience these and other benefits.
For more information, contact: info@WorkLifeLaw.org