Dear John,
30 years ago today, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) became the first national law to provide employees with unpaid time off to care for themselves and their families without risking losing their job. As a family caregiver, I can attest to the significance of those protections.
But we must go further in 2023, because the needs of workers have changed. 44% of employees aren’t protected by FMLA and the U.S. is one of six countries in the world without any form of national paid leave.
We need a more expansive and equitable federal paid leave policy to support people like you and me who are struggling to stay in the workforce while taking care of themselves and their family members.
If you speak up now, we can show Congress that comprehensive care policies – like paid leave for all – needs to be a priority in 2023. Can we count you in?
The good news is our team at Caring Across Generations has plans to make 2023 the year of care. We're starting the new year by organizing thousands of people who give and receive care to demand the new Congress start to truly invest in care now.
We’re calling on Congress to:
- Invest in programs so older adults and disabled people can live at home without prohibitive out-of-pocket costs and waiting on years-long lists
- Establish a national paid leave policy so workers don't have to choose between their jobs and caring for their loved ones
- Make sure every family can access high-quality and affordable child care and early education
- Improve pay and benefits for care workers so the workers who make all other work possible are paid fairly
On February 28, we’ll deliver your petitions to Capitol Hill to make it clear: Care can’t wait, and neither can we.
Today, we’re celebrating 30 years of having FMLA and calling for more support for the people who give and receive care. Together, we’ll show Congress why better care policies need to be at the forefront of their agenda this year.
Sign our petition to call for a year of care in 2023.
With care,
Nicole Jorwic, Chief of Campaigns & Advocacy
Caring Across Generations
