Why We Need Minimum Standards to Ensure a Family-Friendly Workplace

Embargoed for release, Wednesday, noon (EDT), September 26, 2007.

"Family Values at Work" documents the consequences on workers, families, businesses and the nation when family values end at the workplace door. The document details the wrenching stories of workers suffering from the lack of family-friendly work rules, summarizes key research, and lays out a policy agenda modest compared to that of other advanced nations yet urgently needed by U.S. workers and their families. These policies include a minimum number of paid sick days for routine illnesses as well as a family leave insurance fund to provide income during longer-term leaves for a new baby or serious health condition.

The report is being released by the MultiState Working Families Consortium, a network of state coalitions working for policies that value families. Joining them are ten national organizations, including 9to5, National Association of Working Women, ACORN, the AFL-CIO, Moms Rising, and Service Employees International Union. Together these groups and others are building a movement to win changes at the local, state and national level. Funding for the report was provided by the Annie E. Casey Foundation,

Concurrent with the report, a new poll conducted by Lake Research Partners finds that nearly nine in ten poll respondents (89 percent) favor paid sick days. There is strong bipartisan agreement, with at least three quarters of Democrats, Independents and Republicans expressing agreement (Democrats - 94 percent agree; Independents - 90 percent; Republicans - 83 percent).

Similarly, three-quarters of poll respondents favor family leave insurance. Support here is also bipartisan (Democrats - 81 percent, Independents - 73 percent, and Republicans - 69 percent). More detail about the poll can be found on page 27 of the report.

"Family Values at Work" lays out six reasons for adopting new rules at work: Not many families have a wife at home full time. The lack of time to care harms families. Setting minimum standards to protect workers is a legitimate and necessary role of government. Flexibility works for families. Flexibility also pays off for employers and taxpayers. And voters want action.

If we believe in family values, it's time to value families.