Dive Brief:
- California Governor Jerry Brown, voicing concern about potential negative impact, has vetoed a bill that would have extended parental leave requirements to Californians who work for small employers, according to the Los Angeles Times.
- Brown vetoed Senate Bill 654, which would have mandated six weeks of unpaid leave for parents at employers with between 20 and 49 workers. According to its sponsor, the bill would have extended protected leave to 2.7 million additional Californians, or 16% of the state’s workforce.
- Brown did sign legislation earlier this year that expanded the state's parental leave benefit to low-income families. Starting in 2018, California's law allows people earning close to minimum wage to be paid 70% of their salary while on leave (workers with higher pay, up to $108,000 annually, will get 60% of their salary during leave).
Dive Insight:
Brown's veto aside, parental leave is gaining momentum nationwide as states, municipalities and employers are making inroads. As it stands, a federal paid leave program is unlikely, due to political and business opposition. Currently just 12% of U.S. private sector workers have access to paid family leave through their employer, and the nation trails most industrial nations when it comes to that benefit.
From the employer and HR perspective, parental leave remains a strong incentive in attracting and retaining top talent, especially when looking to hire younger workers who have yet to start families. Paid parental leave is getting so much attention that even political conservatives have come forth with a plan.