Editor’s note: This commentary is by Pam McCarthy, of St. Albans Town, who is president and CEO of Vermont Family Network. She is a member of the Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance, vice president of the Vermont Coalition for Disability Rights, vice chair of the Franklin County Democratic Committee, a state committeewoman, and was a candidate for the Vermont Senate in 2018.
[A]s a parent, grandparent, wife, daughter and niece, I have experienced the need for paid family and medical leave in a variety of ways. Family members’ births, life-altering illnesses, mental health and substance use disorders have created a need for this resource in my own life. As the head of a nonprofit that employs 45 people, most of whom are parents of children with disabilities/special health needs, I know the value of generous paid time off as a significant investment in our employees and their families. This benefit is important, in that it builds resilience, connection, and commitment among the people who work with me, and stability in the organization’s services to children and families throughout Vermont. I view paid family and medical leave as an investment in our workforce, one that has significant recruitment and retention value.
When our small family business was operating in St. Albans, my sons and I learned the importance of flexibility when our employees needed extended paid time off to welcome a baby, care for a terminally ill parent, or receive treatment for their own health concerns. The majority of Vermont businesses, like my family’s bakery, are small, and employ a significant percentage of the workforce: 90% of businesses in Vermont have fewer than 20 employees, and employ 28% of the workforce, while 98.5% of businesses in Vermont have fewer than 100 employees and employ 62% of the workforce. Universal, portable benefit structures like paid family and medical leave not only support the Vermont workforce, they help small business owners start strong and grow their businesses. Robust benefit packages can help significantly with recruitment and retention. In a time when we are striving to attract new employees and their families to Vermont, paid family and medical leave could be what seals the deal in revitalizing our state and its small business economy.
As we look at the tremendous need for child care and the growing needs for skilled care for elders and people with disabilities, it’s important to consider how having paid family and medical leave could reduce the costs associated with quality care for children and the aging and disabled in Vermont. It’s been estimated that implementation of paid family and medical leave could lead to $2.04 million to $3.46 million in annual child care cost savings for parents caring for a newborn or ill child. Per family, that is estimated to be $1,032-$1,747 annually. I believe these savings would only increase in families like mine where caring for babies and elders is a reality.
I know from experience that every Vermonter, at some point in their lives, can benefit from the creation of paid family and medical leave. This safety net is an important investment, now, and for the years ahead. I believe that we will all benefit greatly from a stronger economy that fights poverty, supports healthy individuals, children, and families, and grows a strong workforce.
