FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 22, 2021

CONTACT

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

New Hampshire business leaders urge U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen to support a national paid leave policy

Today, business leaders based in or with key facilities in New Hampshire met virtually with staff representing U.S. Senator Jeane Shaheen (D-NH) to express their support for national paid family and medical leave policy.

Business participants included:

  • Badger (Gilsom, NH)

  • Cape Air (Flys out of Lebanon, NH)

  • The Cranmore Inn (North Conway, NH)

  • Hanover Coop Food Store (Hanover, NH)

  • The Law Office of Manning & Zimmerman, PLLC (Manchester, NH)

  • MegaFoods (Londonderry, NH)

  • Oxland Builders (Stratham, NH)

  • Shara Vineyards (Concord, NH)

  • Soel Sistas (Nashua, NH)

  • Revision Energy (Brentwood & Enfield, NH)

  • Veris Wealth Partners (Portsmouth, NH)

The 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. 

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. 

“As a business owner in the hospitality industry, the pandemic has been an incredibly difficult time. A federal paid leave policy would help small businesses like mine,” said Christopher Bellis, a meeting participant and owner of the Cranmore Inn in North Conyway, NH. 

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.