Research Library

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112th Congress: Work and Family Agenda

Every day, working women and men in the United States struggle to meet the dual demands of work and family because their workplaces are without basic family friendly policies. It is long past time for workplaces to reflect the needs of 21st century working families, which for many include the ability to care for children, family members and elderly relatives while also being productive, responsible employees.
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Midwest Workers Speak: The Employee Case for Flexibility in Manufacturing Jobs

Manufacturing industry workers are struggling with job and financial insecurity. Few have access to the basic flexible workplace policies they need to manage their responsibilities at home and on the job.
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Paid Sick Days Memo

On July 5th, 2011, Connecticut became the first state to pass a law giving many workers the right to earn paid sick days.
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Flexibility for Success: How Workplace Flexibility Policies Benefit All Workers and Employers

A growing number of employers recognize the benefits of flexible workplace practices. These employers know that setting workplace standards that promote flexibility and allow workers to meet the dual demands of work and family improves employee productivity, loyalty and retention—creating happier, healthier workplaces, and better bottom lines.
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Taking Care of Business: The Business Benefits of Paid Leave

Businesses benefit when employees are able to take time away from work to cope with personal and family illnesses. More satisfied and productive workers translate into improved workplace morale, greater worker loyalty and better bottom lines.
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Working Women Need Paid Sick Days

Every day, millions of workers in the United States are forced to jeopardize their wages and their jobs when they become sick or need to care for a sick child or loved one. For women, the inability to earn paid sick days can have particularly devastating consequences.
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Los Angeles Workers Speak: The Employee Case for Flexibility in Hourly, Lower-Wage Jobs

Hourly, lower-wage workers are much less likely than salaried, professional employees to have workplace flexibility. Many are required to work in shifts that are unpredictable and constantly changing; they may be asked to work overtime with little notice; and they seldom have leeway to arrive late, leave early, or take time mid-day to deal with family or medical emergencies.
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Paid Sick Days Protect the Economic Security of Working Families

A minimum paid sick days standard would help to protect millions of working families from falling further into financial crisis during these tough economic times.
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Family Friendly Workplace Policies Must Include Grandparents

Grandparents are the glue that holds many families together - yet our workplace laws don't honor their critical role.
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Testimony of National Partnership President Debra L. Ness Before New York City Council Committee on Paid Sick Days

Testimony of Debra L. Ness, President, National Partnership for Women & Families, On Introduction 0097-2010, In relation to the provision of sick time earned by employees. Submitted to the New York City Council Committee on Civil Service and Labor.
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Paid Sick Leave Does Not Harm Business Growth or Job Growth

A bill in the New York City Council guaranteeing workers the right to earn paid sick leave is closely modeled on a law enacted by San Francisco in 2007.
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Women's Equality Day 2010: Steps Toward Women's Equality

Women's Equality Day commemorates the adoption of the 19th Amendment to U.S. Constitution, which guaranteed women the right to vote. More than 90 years later, the fight for women's equal access and opportunity continues—especially in workplaces across the country.
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Paid Sick Days: Attitudes and Experiences

Except in a few localities, employers are not required by law to provide paid sick days for workers. But most Americans believe that paid sick days should be a worker's right guaranteed by the government.
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The Time for Paid Sick Days Is Now: Survey Shows Overwhelming Public Support For a Paid Sick Days Workplace Standard

A new survey conducted by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago and commissioned by the Public Welfare Foundation demonstrates that lack of access to paid sick days has significant negative consequences for public health, health care costs, and families' financial security.
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The Work, Family, and Equity Index: Where Does the United States Stand Globally?

When it comes to ensuring decent working conditions for families, the latest research shows many U.S. public policies still lag dramatically behind all high-income countries, as well as many middle- and low-income countries.
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Public Welfare Foundation Paid Sick Days Survey: Full Report

Work and Family Policy Options for Advocates and Legislators

Workers should not have to choose between a paycheck, their job, and their own health or the health of their families. Yet, because of the lack of policies that help workers meet their family responsibilities, many workers face this choice every day.
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