Make the Case for Paid Leave at Work
Workplace Studies and Resources
Family-Friendly Policies: Redesigning the Workplace of the Future: This UNICEF policy brief focuses on the importance of implementing family-friendly policies to support children's development, promote gender equality, and drive economic growth. Key recommendations include: paid parental leave, support for breastfeeding, accessible childcare, and financial support. The brief emphasizes that these policies not only benefit families but also enhance employee productivity, retention, and overall business performance. It calls for collaborative efforts among governments, businesses, and civil society to create supportive environments where both children and economies can thrive (UNICEF, 2019).
Why Paid Leave Matters for the Future of Business: This Harvard Business Review article highlights how paid leave benefits both employees and employers. It reduces turnover costs, boosts employee morale and productivity, and helps companies attract and retain top talent. Read the letter supporting the FAMILY Act, signed by distinguished business faculty from nearly 90 schools, including some of the nation’s top institutions (Friedman, 2015).
A Business Case for Paid Leave Policies: The Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center's report examines how paid family and medical leave policies support employee health and well-being while also benefiting businesses. Research indicates that these policies boost labor force participation and employee retention, leading to a healthier workforce (PN3 Policy Impact Center, 2024).
A National Paid Leave Program Would Help Workers, Families: Read the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities report that discusses how paid leave has proven benefits, including improved maternal health, child development, family economic security, and increased business productivity and retention. It details how a national paid family and medical leave program should cover comprehensive reasons for leave, be inclusive of all workers — especially low-income and marginalized groups — and ensure ease of access through robust outreach and application processes (Romig & Bryant, 2021).
State Paid Parental Leave Policy: A Tool to Reduce Inequality Within and Between Families: This policy brief by the National Council on Family Relations highlights the importance of parental leave for ensuring financial stability during a new birth and reducing stress for families at a critical time. However, low-income workers, who often have less flexible jobs, face significant challenges in accessing paid leave. The absence of a federal paid parental leave law has resulted in a patchwork of programs that leaves gaps in coverage. To reduce inequality, paid parental leave should be accessible to all workers, offer full or near-full wage replacement, and provide at least 12 weeks of leave (Rothwell, 2024).
Email Template: Parental Leave Policy Discussion Request
Subject: Request for Review of Parental Leave Policy
Dear [Manager's Name],
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to express my support for expanding [Company Name]’s parental leave policy and to kindly request a review of our current benefits. As our company continues to grow and prioritizes employee well-being, enhancing our parental leave offerings would be a significant step toward supporting working parents and strengthening our workplace culture.
Research consistently shows that paid parental leave leads to increased employee retention, improved productivity, and overall job satisfaction. Many leading companies have recognized these benefits and have implemented more comprehensive leave policies. Expanding our policy would demonstrate our company’s commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment.
I would love the opportunity to discuss this further and explore potential ways to enhance our parental leave benefits. Please let me know a convenient time when we could meet to share insights and ideas. Thank you for your time and consideration and I appreciate your support in making [Company Name] an even greater place to work.
Best regards,
[Your Name]