Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  How much would the Working Families Time to Care Act cost?

A:  Not much at all.  At current benefit levels it would cost only $14 per worker per year to fund the Working Families Time to Care benefit. Even if benefits were double or triple this amount the cost of the benefit would still be very low.  

Q: How much would workers receive when they took time off under the Working Families Time to Care Act? 

A: Under the current Temporary Disability program, benefits are relatively low: 50% of a claimant's average weekly wage, up to a maximum of $170 a week. The Working Families Time to Care Act would extend the same level of benefits to new situations. Benefits for both pieces of leave insurance need to be increased to provide a more realistic level of support.  Of course this Act would not reduce better benefits that workers may have under their collective bargaining agreement.

Q:  Who would pay for Time to Care Leave?

 A:  Temporary Disability Insurance is currently jointly funded by employers and employees.  Under our Working Families Time to Care proposal, the program would continue to be jointly funded, but the modest premium increase would be borne by covered employees.

Q:  Who would be eligible for the benefit?

 A: Paid time off  would be available to virtually all workers with a new child or a seriously ill family member.

 Q:  Won’t this be bad for business?

A: Multiple studies have shown the benefits to business from making the workplace more family friendly. Legislation like the proposed Working Families Time to Care Act creates a level playing field, where all employers have the same obligations to provide a minimum standard of benefits and therefore aren't placed at a competitive disadvantage, and allows small businesses to provide a benefit many could not on their own.

 In particular, studies show that paid leave helps companies keep good workers, and increases productivity.  

Q:  What savings will the Working Families Time to Care Act produce?

A: Providing working people with paid time off to deal with family health crisis, and to care for new children will provide cost savings in a number of areas.
Having a family member at home to care for people leaving the hospital allows for shorter hospital stays
Having a family member at home to care for people recovering from the most acute stage of an illness reduces the demand for nursing home and paid in-home care
Making it possible for people to take time off when they absolutely must reduces unplanned absenteeism, presenteeism ( where workers come to their workplace but work with reduced productivity because of distractions, and other demands on their time ), and the costs of turnover
In the absence of an adequate paid family leave program, working people who have no alternative but to take time off often must depend on public assistance programs, including TANF, food stamps, etc.

Q: What are the benefits to children of the Working Families Time to Care Act?

A: Research shows that the first few weeks of a childs life are especially important for healthy development. Newborn babies and newly placed  adopted or foster children need time to bond with their parents.  Children recover more quickly from illnesses when a parent can take some time off from work to care for them.

Q: What protections are in place to prevent abuse of the program?

A: The legislation includes clear standards requiring workers to provide medical documentation of a family members illness and need for care.

It provides for a 7 day waiting period before benefits can begin, reducing any incentive for employees to use the benefit unless they need it.

Q:  Haven’t some people called this is a “European-style” benefit? 

A:  In fact, it’s a global-style benefit.  According to one study, the United States is one of only five countries (the others being Swaziland, Lesotho, Liberia and Papua New Guinea) that do not have national policy allowing parents to take paid time off to care for newborn children.

Q:  Have any other states enacted similar legislation?

A: California enacted a Paid Family Leave Act in 2002.  Legislators have introduced similar bills in four other states.

 Q:  Like the Family and Medical Leave Act, isn’t this better enacted on a national level by Congress?

A: Yes, federal legislation is preferable, but right now it does not appear politically possible.  And working families who face health care emergencies can’t afford to wait.