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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 693-4650
The U. S. Department of Labor today released a report on
the results of employee and employer surveys on family and medical leave
policies, including the 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act
(FMLA) - the first legislation President Clinton signed. Balancing the
Needs of Families and Employers reports on 2000 updates to surveys
conducted in 1995.
"The results of these surveys show that FMLA is working
well for tens of millions of Americans. And it is working without the burden to
business many have feared. But we can and should do more for those workers who
still face the challenge of balancing work and family," U.S. Labor Secretary
Alexis M. Herman said of the findings.
Surveyed workers reported overwhelming support for the
ideas embodied in the FMLA. Further, more than eight out of ten employers
report that providing family and medical leave resulted in either positive or
no noticeable impact on company productivity, profits or growth.
"Family leave is like 911 -- you don't use it unless you
truly need it but it's critically important when you do,"said Senator Chris
Dodd, author of the FMLA. "Thankfully this report indicates that family and
medical leave is doing what it should - helping families - but now we need to
do more to ensure that even more people can access its benefits." Senator Dodd
has introduced in the past and is expected to introduce legislation in this
session to increase the number of workers covered by family leave and a measure
to make taking leave more affordable.
The FMLA allows workers to take up to twelve weeks of
unpaid leave to care for a seriously ill child, spouse or parent; a newborn,
newly adopted or newly placed child; or for their own serious health problem,
without fear of losing their jobs. More than six in ten American workers are
covered and eligible under the Act. Survey results are provided to inform
policy discussion about the Act and are posted on www.dol.gov/dol/asp/public/fmla/main.htm.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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