WAGE WORK & FAMILY WORK Global Paid Family Leave Programs California’s Paid Family Leave Program Vondra, Erica, Dan, Sarah, Faitasi, Brennen, Rena, Brianna, Brenda, Casey

Parental Leave Nordic Countries- most generous (1-3 years leave, 2/3 more wages than other countries) Continental Countries- less generous (some up to 3 year leave, up to 100% wage replacement) U.S.- no paid leave (depending on employment status, 12 weeks unpaid is sometimes provided)

Gender Equality in Parental Leave Programs If parental leave is taken exclusively by the mother… Bonding of mother and child Women’s work force weakens Gender inequalities increase in work and home

Incentives for Paternity Leave in the Nordic Countries Fathers are eligible for more benefits “Daddy quotas” lengthen leave Public education campaigns promote gender equality

Incentives for Paternity Leave in Continental Countries Paid paternity leave (2-4 days) Some nontransferable paid paternity leave

Incentives for Paternity Leave in U.S. Fathers are granted their own leave rights (unpaid) Creates nontransferable periods of leave for mothers and fathers to take

US Contributions to Family Leave Makes no public investments in paid leave at the national level Ensures parents little time for caregiving, which forces new parents to…. - cut back on hours or quit job - return to work without sufficient time with newborn - receive pay cuts

European Countries Contribution to Family Leave Grant parents time to care for their children Provide a reasonable level of economic security Include incentives for equal sharing of care giving

Nordic Countries Contribution to Family Leave Most accommodating parental leave rights and benefits Provide parents with flexibility Parents are able to disperse leave periods until the child is 8 years old

Access and Inclusiveness of ECEC in Nordic Countries Most extensive access to publicly supported care Provide childcare from end of parental leave until start of primary school Works under the authority of national social welfare or educational authorities

Access and Inclusiveness of ECEC in Continental Countries Public preschool begins at age 2-3 Families rely on private care before the start of preschool

Access and Inclusiveness of ECEC in U.S. Public education starts with kindergarten (age 5) Most families rely on private childcare before kindergarten

Variables of ECEC of Affordability Cost of childcare should not put a burden on the family Cost of childcare should be proportionate to a family’s income

Financing Childcare Nordic Countries Financed by national, municipal taxes and parental co-payments (parents pay 20% or less) Europe (France & Belgium) Care financed with national, regional, and municipal funds and parental fees (parents pay 17-25%) Employers provide a low percentage U.S. Childcare costs are mostly private (parents pay about 59%)

California’s Paid Family Leave Program

PROVISIONS OF CALIFORNIA PAID FAMILY LEAVE Both U.S. and non-U.S. citizen workers who participate in the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program are entitled to 6 weeks of paid time off Reasons include to: Bond with a new baby or newly adopted or foster child To care for a severely ill parent, child, spouse or registered domestic partner 55% of wages in a 12-month period determine benefit amount which range from $50 to a max of $840

HOW THE BILL WAS PASSED *California Chamber of Commerce Who Supported Who Opposed *Work and Family Coalition -Labor Project for Working Families -Family Caregivers Alliance -Equal Rights Advocates -Asia Law Caucus -California NOW -California Congress of Senior Citizens *California Chamber of Commerce *State Republicans *Moderate Democrats

HOW THE BILL IS PAID FOR Completely funded through payroll deductions. Employers required to deduct wages from all employees covered by SDI. Current rate is .80% Income cap is $79,418 Maximum deduction of about $65 per year.

WHO IS USING PFL BENEFIT? Paid Family Leave Claims (July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005) Total claims received: 176,085 Total claims paid: 137,085 Total Bonding claims: Type Females: 83% Males: 17% Biological: 98.5% Adoption /Foster: 1.5%

WHO IS USING PFL BENEFIT? Paid Family Leave Claims (July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005) Total claims received: 176,085 Total claims paid: 137,085 Total Care Claims: Type Females Providing Care: 70% Males Providing Care: 30% Caring for Spouse: 36.3% Caring for Child: 22.1% Caring for Parent: 21.6% Caring for Registered Domestic Partner: 1.3% Caring for All Others: 18.7%

IS IT REACHING All WHO ARE ELIGIBLE? Only little more than 1% of Californians took advantage of the bill in its first year, why? Many Californians are unaware 2003: Only 22% of respondents aware of the law. 2005: Only 29.5% of respondents aware of the law.

IS IT REACHING All WHO ARE ELIGIBLE?

IS IT REACHING All WHO ARE ELIGIBLE? Berger Institute for Work, Family, and Children:2005 study Workers who are caring for a sick family member 95% favored the law, only 1% are using or plan on using the benefit. 52%: Benefit amount is not enough to live on. 8%: Satisfied with employer’s benefits. 40%: Had other reasons including, Workload would pile up too much. Self employed and do not qualify. Time at work gives relief from care giving duties or they found work personally satisfying.