FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 24, 2021

CONTACT

Neil Sroka, neil@paidleave.us, 847-219-8491

Business leaders urge Speaker Pelosi to support  and prioritize a national paid leave policy

Today, business leaders met with U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA-12) to express their support for national paid family and medical leave policy.

Business participants included leaders from:

  • AirBnB

  • Patagonia

  • PayPal

  • Salesforce

  • Stitch Fix

The virtual meeting, conducted as part of the Businesses for Paid Leave Week of Action, gave the participants a chance to make a strong business case for providing paid family and medical leave. 

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Business leaders discuss how paid leave would improve the lives of working people and their bottom line with Speaker Pelosi during a video meeting. (June 24, 2021)

The meeting with Speaker Pelosi followed similar Businesses for Paid Leave Week of Action conversations business leaders have had with staff members representing U.S. Senators Jeane Shaheen (NH), Maggie Hassan (NH), Ron Wyden (OR), Mark Warner (VA),  and Joe Manchin (WV).

Companies with a paid leave policy have found increased productivity and improved employee morale and retention. Moreover, a nationwide paid family and medical leave program would allow smaller businesses to compete with larger businesses, which is why the majority of small businesses support the policy. 

“Right now, we have a historic opportunity to pass national paid leave legislation that will ensure that no one has to choose between their families and their careers as millions of working people in the U.S. without paid leave had to during the COVID crisis,” said Alexis Ohanian, a meeting participant and the Founder of Seven Seven Six and Former Executive Chair of Reddit.  “As business leaders, we’re coming together to make it clear that businesses of all sizes support paid leave, because it’s the right thing to do and good for the bottom line.”

The support of businesses for paid leave is matched by the support of communities across the country. While only 21% of working people in the U.S. have access to paid family leave through their employers, the policy is supported by 83% of the American public. Evidence from states and districts with paid leave policies demonstrate that when accessible and equitable paid leave policies are in place they can support working families, public health and businesses alike.
Businesses for Paid Leave Week of Action is being organized in partnership with PL+US (Paid Leave for the U.S.), the National Partnership for Women & Families, Times Up, Main Street Alliance, and Paid Leave for All.