ASBC Supports Keeping Paid Family Leave in Social Infrastructure Legislation Where It Belongs

The American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) and Social Venture Circle (SVC) announced support of the proposed re-inclusion of paid family leave in legislation currently being negotiated. The change was announced today in a letter to Senate colleagues from Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who said the Rules Committee would meet later in the day to consider the changes. Despite being previously dropped from the proposed legislation, ASBC and SVC maintained support as part of the Paid Leave Coalition, which has been working hard to keep its inclusion a priority.

While providing four weeks of permanent parental and medical leave is far short of the initially proposed 12 weeks of paid family leave in President Biden's proposed expansion of social benefits and climate programs, it is an important and necessary provision for workers and the businesses who rely on them. Paid family leave is important as part of a just and inclusive economy and throughout the course of one's life whether as a young worker managing the demands of child care, a mid-career worker helping with aging parents, or a long-time worker managing partner and/or self-care. Regardless of age or level of worker, paid leave is needed for the success of American businesses to support competition when hiring, maintain productivity, support employee morale, and build consumer confidence.