This commentary is by Logan Snow of Bennington. She has been an advocate in the state for many years and has previously worked on menstrual equity, reproductive rights and LGBTQIA+ rights, and prioritizes anti-racism work in everything she does. Logan currently lives in Bennington with her partner and their two senior dachshunds.
I found out my father unexpectedly passed away while I was on my lunch break at my job in retail. I took the rest of that Wednesday off, unpaid, as well as Thursday and Friday. His funeral was on Saturday, and I went back to work on Monday.
My father was disabled, and I had been his caregiver for most of my life. When he passed, it was shocking and heartbreaking. I was far from ready to go back to work on Monday, but I had no paid leave and couldn’t sacrifice another paycheck.
By his funeral, I had already lost two and a half days of pay. We chose the most affordable options for his funeral, but it still cost thousands of dollars. My family struggled to pull the money together. Dealing with this financial stress on top of my grief was like salt on a wound.
My father’s death was so sudden, he did not have a will or any plans in place for his passing. My sibling and I were responsible for paying for his funeral and moving all his belongings out of his apartment. I would go to work all day and then pack and clean his apartment until I was too tired to do any more, and then I’d do it all over again. And again. And again.
It’s been almost 10 years since my dad passed away, but I remember it like it was yesterday. I feel so much compassion for my younger self who was struggling to grieve, process, manage end of life logistics, and still show up at work every day.
I desperately needed relief and time, and I didn’t have it. A strong paid family and medical leave program would have made a world of difference for me and my family.
With even a few days of paid leave, I could have had the support I needed to get my dad’s affairs in order and grieve my huge loss. I could have had some respite with my family, instead of worrying about paying the bills. I could have focused on my father’s memory, instead of how much debt I could take on.
In March of 2023, the Vermont House advanced a strong paid leave bill to the Senate. If passed, it would give Vermont workers time to recover from a serious health condition, welcome a new child, or care for or grieve a loved one without risking their pay. Now it’s up to the Senate to get this bill across the finish line this year.
A paid leave program offers support when you need it most. It gives you something to count on during the terrifying moments when you ask yourself “How are we going to get through this?” and don’t have an answer.
I should have had paid leave when my father passed in 2015. Countless Vermonters should have had paid leave since then. We cannot continue waiting. I urge Vermont lawmakers to pass a strong paid leave program in 2024.
