Universal Family and Medical Leave for All Workers

Nearly every working Vermonter at some point will need to take time away from their job to care for or bond with a new child or deal with a serious personal or family illness.

However, very few Vermonters have access to parental leave or personal medical leave through their employer. Federal and state laws allow certain eligible employees to take unpaid leave for these purposes, but many cannot afford to take leave when they need it. 

A paid family and medical leave insurance program, be it federal or sponsored by the state, will support the health, well-being, and economic security of Vermont’s children and families and ensure that future generations thrive.

The Alliance will continue to support the Vermont Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FaMLI) Coalition in advocating for passage of a publicly overseen insurance program that creates universal paid medical and family leave for all workers and families in Vermont.

Data and Talking Points

• 10 weeks of paid leave for new parents, on average, reduces infant mortality by up to 4.5%.
• Women who access paid leave programs tend to stay in the workforce.
• Ensuring family and medical leave for all working Vermonters will help support small businesses who cannot afford to offer paid leave on their own.
• Employers in states with paid family and medical leave report that paid leave has either no impact or positively impacts their business.

Resources and Advocacy Tools

• To get involved, please contact Main St. Alliance’s New England Regional Manager, Morgan Nichols, at morgan@mainstreetalliance.org. You can also connect with Main Street Alliance on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
• Sign on to Voices for Vermont Children’s Paid Family & Medical Leave petition and share why access to paid, job-protected family and medical leave is important to you!
• Share your story highlighting the need for paid family and medical leave here.