1000+ businesses, including nearly 300 business leaders, owners issue urgent call for Congress to include paid leave in Build Back Better legislation

October 27, 2021

Today, with reports circling that paid leave’s inclusion in the Build Back Better budget deal may be in jeopardy, more than 1,000 businesses, including 300 business leaders, reaffirmed their commitment to a federal paid family and medical leave program.

In aggregated letters organized by Paid Leave for the U.S. (PL+US), Main Street Alliance, American Sustainable Business Council, MomsRising, Small Business Majority, and Time’s Up, businesses urgently call on Congressional leaders and the White House President to ensure that all businesses, and all workers, have access to paid leave that covers parental, caregiving, and personal medical leave. 

Ranging in size from single employee firms to some of our nation’s best known brands -- like Levi Strauss and Co., Pinterest, Salesforce, and more -- the companies joined together to state definitively that paid leave is good for business and the economy.  Paid leave is important to the business community because it increases productivity, staff retention, and employee morale. It also enhances small business’ ability to compete, and improves all businesses’ global business competitiveness. Paid leave improves business bottom lines and helps create jobs through consumer spending. Furthermore, as we continue to see a historic loss of jobs for women -- with more than 300,000 women leaving the workforce just last month -- paid family and medical leave will help to stem the tide of the “she-session” that began last year.

The full statement from businesses can be found below: 

As businesses owners, operators and leaders from across the United States, from a range of industries, and from businesses large and small, we urge Congress to meet the moment by passing a comprehensive federal paid family and medical leave policy that provides long-term health benefits and economic security to all American families and contributes to the vitality and sustainability of our businesses. We need a policy that is inclusive and that protects all workers equally, regardless of what kind of work they do, where they live, or whom they love. An equitable and comprehensive paid family and medical leave program must include time to welcome a newly arrived child, time to care for a seriously ill family member, and time to care for one’s own serious illness. With an equal paid leave policy in place, we can help stem the historic tide of women leaving the workforce and ensure that low-wage earners and people of color have the time they need to care for themselves and their families. Access to paid leave also leads to better retention, personal health, and improved morale, which contributes to greater stability and viability for our businesses, ultimately helping our bottom line. In short, paid leave is good for business.

These were sent to the White House and Congressional Offices today.