1. 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

2. 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)

6. 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

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

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

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

16. 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

18. 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%)

19. California’s Paid Family Leave Program

20. 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

21. 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

23. 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.

24. 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%

25. 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%

26. 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.

27. IS IT REACHING All WHO ARE ELIGIBLE?

28. 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.