Question

California has paid FML. Do you believe that paid FML should be mandated throughout this country? Discuss the pros and cons.

Answer 1

Based on the research it is evident that close to 57% of employees are covered under the family and medical leave act (i.e. only offers unpaid leave) and at the same time over 60 million employees does not qualify for the same. This does not support the economy in the country with respect to the paid time off versus unpaid leaves due to medical reasons. Therefore, it depends on state-by-state in the country to have this can be applied of not and have a check on the employees benefits. In some of the states in US it works better to go ahead with paid FML but in others it is managed with the help of pre-existing temporary disability insurance or having funds with the help of deduction from employees payroll. However, the advantages of having FML are greater talent retention, this allows women employees to have earnings which is not earned during maternity leave, etc. Whereas, disadvantages remains with the increased employer costs, may have discrimination issues for HR and needs lot of involvement of the federal government.