Parental Leave

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I'm using Labor Day as a chance to get on my parental leave soapbox--a labor issue I think is of supreme importance. According to a 2007 Inc. magazine report, "the United States is one of only five countries that does not provide or require employers to provide some form of paid maternity leave, placing it behind a majority of the world when it comes to instituting family-oriented job policies."

Paid family leave has been shown to reduce infant mortality by as much as 20% (and the U.S. ranks a low 37th of all countries in infant mortality).

Look at how we compare to other nations.

Hear how great the Swedes have it - 480 days (to be used before child turns 8), 60 of the days have to taken by the father, and parents receive 80% of pay.

Do something about it.

With unemployment so high, I can't help but think adopting more liberal and flexible work policies for parents would be the common good. If universally, parents could take advantage of time off with no fear of penalties and with decent pay, it would seem there would have to be more job slots open in the work force to compensate. And more mother's would/could probably breastfeed, or breastfeed longer, and the benefits of this have been proven time and again. I'm not saying we have to go as far as the Swedes. Six months, 80% pay, and guaranteed to have your same job. We should be able to figure this out. We can do better.