The Department of Labor has found that, Women may lose or leave their jobs and put their long-term economic security at risk. Studies show that mothers with access to paid leave have an increased likelihood of being employed after childbirth compared to mothers who do not have or use paid leave, that paid leave increases female labor force participation, and that access to paid leave policies can even increase work hours. (“The Cost”3)
When mothers are not forced to cut short their leave and they do not have to worry about money, they will be more likely to remain employed during and after pregnancy. If the bill is passed, the female workforce will grow as a result. While the lack of paid leave for working mothers is detrimental to the female workforce, paternal leave for working fathers is also needed. When it comes to fathers getting time off for new borns, companies are hesitant to approve. The Department of Labor has found that Paternity leave – and especially longer leaves of several weeks or months – can promote parent-child bonding, improve outcomes for children, and even increase gender equity at home and at the workplace. Paid parental leave for fathers, as well as for mothers, provides a real advantage to working families. (“Paternity”