U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan encouraged to back a national paid leave policy by New Hampshire business leaders
June 23, 2021
Today, business leaders based in or with key facilities in New Hampshire met virtually with staff representing U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) to express their support for national paid family and medical leave policy.
Business participants included:
Badger (Gilsom, NH)
The Cranmore Inn (North Conway, NH)
Hanover Coop Food Store (Hanover, NH)
The Law Office of Manning & Zimmerman, PLLC (Manchester, NH)
Soel Sistas (Nashua, NH)
Revision Energy (Brentwood & Enfield, 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. A similar group of New Hampshire business leaders met with New Hampshire U.S. Senator Jeane Shaheen on earlier this week.
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.
"We have testified on sensible paid family and medical leave policy at the state level because we know it is critical for the many small businesses and their employees who truly drive local economies everywhere,” said AIlan Reetz, a meeting participant and Director of Public and Government Affairs for Hanover Food Co-op Food Store in Hanover, NH. “We count on those entities each day to bring us an increasing array of New Hampshire food. Well-crafted legislation can help them and the hundreds of other of small businesses that build resilient Granite State communities."
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.