Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is an enormous policy gap that harms women, children, families, and the economy. We should have universal paid leave.

Why? Being a parent and having a pregnancy is a choice. You have annual/sick leave. Save it for a few years like the rest of us.

My employer doesn’t roll over annual and sick leave. How do you suppose I “save it up”? Plus my employer can deny requests for annual leave at its discretion, and I only get 7 sick days per year. Last time I checked, you can’t recover from childbirth in 7 days.

Leave without pay, like the rest of us.

You know only 56% of American workers are eligible for FMLA, right?

Use birth control, like the rest of us.

Only 44% of Americans deserve to be able to have children? Give me a break.

I wish I could give you a break. I didn't design this broken system, nor am I a designated break-giver for people suffering under the broken system.

You said “use unpaid leave like the rest of us.” Nearly half of us don’t have unpaid leave. That was your ignorance showing.

That was a different PP. I didn't "DP" so that's on me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is an enormous policy gap that harms women, children, families, and the economy. We should have universal paid leave.

Why? Being a parent and having a pregnancy is a choice. You have annual/sick leave. Save it for a few years like the rest of us.

My employer doesn’t roll over annual and sick leave. How do you suppose I “save it up”? Plus my employer can deny requests for annual leave at its discretion, and I only get 7 sick days per year. Last time I checked, you can’t recover from childbirth in 7 days.

Leave without pay, like the rest of us.

Yep - I'm in a commission/sales job, so no work = no pay. I got a few weeks of STD only because I had a c-section, which was based on a % of my last 3 years of income average. Was nice enough for first kid but #2 STD pay was negatively influenced by being out for the 1st baby so even lower. And maternity leave was without pay and had to be negotiated. My company now has implemented some guaranteed maternity leave in addition to the FMLA which didn't exist at the time, but it's too late for me. Good for the younger families though.

I must have missed it - why did you not enroll in Short term disability when you joined? Or the 1st year of open enrollment?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is an enormous policy gap that harms women, children, families, and the economy. We should have universal paid leave.

Why? Being a parent and having a pregnancy is a choice. You have annual/sick leave. Save it for a few years like the rest of us.

My employer doesn’t roll over annual and sick leave. How do you suppose I “save it up”? Plus my employer can deny requests for annual leave at its discretion, and I only get 7 sick days per year. Last time I checked, you can’t recover from childbirth in 7 days.

Leave without pay, like the rest of us.

You know only 56% of American workers are eligible for FMLA, right?

Use birth control, like the rest of us.

Only 44% of Americans deserve to be able to have children? Give me a break.

I wish I could give you a break. I didn't design this broken system, nor am I a designated break-giver for people suffering under the broken system.

You said “use unpaid leave like the rest of us.” Nearly half of us don’t have unpaid leave. That was your ignorance showing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is an enormous policy gap that harms women, children, families, and the economy. We should have universal paid leave.

Why? Being a parent and having a pregnancy is a choice. You have annual/sick leave. Save it for a few years like the rest of us.

My employer doesn’t roll over annual and sick leave. How do you suppose I “save it up”? Plus my employer can deny requests for annual leave at its discretion, and I only get 7 sick days per year. Last time I checked, you can’t recover from childbirth in 7 days.

Leave without pay, like the rest of us.

You know only 56% of American workers are eligible for FMLA, right?

Use birth control, like the rest of us.

Only 44% of Americans deserve to be able to have children? Give me a break.

I wish I could give you a break. I didn't design this broken system, nor am I a designated break-giver for people suffering under the broken system.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is an enormous policy gap that harms women, children, families, and the economy. We should have universal paid leave.

Why? Being a parent and having a pregnancy is a choice. You have annual/sick leave. Save it for a few years like the rest of us.

My employer doesn’t roll over annual and sick leave. How do you suppose I “save it up”? Plus my employer can deny requests for annual leave at its discretion, and I only get 7 sick days per year. Last time I checked, you can’t recover from childbirth in 7 days.

Leave without pay, like the rest of us.

You know only 56% of American workers are eligible for FMLA, right?

Use birth control, like the rest of us.

Only 44% of Americans deserve to be able to have children? Give me a break.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is an enormous policy gap that harms women, children, families, and the economy. We should have universal paid leave.

Why? Being a parent and having a pregnancy is a choice. You have annual/sick leave. Save it for a few years like the rest of us.

My employer doesn’t roll over annual and sick leave. How do you suppose I “save it up”? Plus my employer can deny requests for annual leave at its discretion, and I only get 7 sick days per year. Last time I checked, you can’t recover from childbirth in 7 days.

Leave without pay, like the rest of us.

You know only 56% of American workers are eligible for FMLA, right?

Use birth control, like the rest of us.

Can I ask who you think is going to run and operate society when you are old and infirm?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is an enormous policy gap that harms women, children, families, and the economy. We should have universal paid leave.

Why? Being a parent and having a pregnancy is a choice. You have annual/sick leave. Save it for a few years like the rest of us.

My employer doesn’t roll over annual and sick leave. How do you suppose I “save it up”? Plus my employer can deny requests for annual leave at its discretion, and I only get 7 sick days per year. Last time I checked, you can’t recover from childbirth in 7 days.

Leave without pay, like the rest of us.

You know only 56% of American workers are eligible for FMLA, right?

Use birth control, like the rest of us.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is an enormous policy gap that harms women, children, families, and the economy. We should have universal paid leave.

Why? Being a parent and having a pregnancy is a choice. You have annual/sick leave. Save it for a few years like the rest of us.

My employer doesn’t roll over annual and sick leave. How do you suppose I “save it up”? Plus my employer can deny requests for annual leave at its discretion, and I only get 7 sick days per year. Last time I checked, you can’t recover from childbirth in 7 days.

Leave without pay, like the rest of us.

You know only 56% of American workers are eligible for FMLA, right?

Add Maine and Minnesota to that list above.

Maryland and Virginia statutory benefits are due to come online in 2028

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is an enormous policy gap that harms women, children, families, and the economy. We should have universal paid leave.

Countries that have extended maternity leave and benefits also have exponentially high taxes on personal income. To achieve the same in the US the tax would have to be incremental tax increases over a long period of time. Highest tax rate for high earners now is 37%. It would take decades to increase taxes on the Uber rich and it simply is not going to happen.

DP there are currently several states with paid family leave systems in place, some of which have existed for decades

California has a huge tax base and very high taxes.

States with Implemented Paid Family Leave (2026)
California (CA): Up to 8 weeks for bonding or family care, funded by employee payroll deductions.
Colorado (CO): Provides 12 weeks of paid leave, with an additional 4 weeks for pregnancy complications.
Connecticut (CT): Offers 12 weeks of benefits, plus 2 additional weeks for pregnancy complications.
Massachusetts (MA): Provides up to 12 weeks of paid family leave.
New Jersey (NJ): Provides 12 weeks of leave, with mandatory employer/employee contributions.
New York (NY): Uses a mandatory private insurance system for paid leave.
Oregon (OR): Provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave, with 2 extra weeks for pregnancy.
Rhode Island (RI): Offers 12 weeks of benefits.
Washington (WA): Provides 12 weeks of paid leave.
Washington, D.C. (DC): Offers 12 weeks for family/medical leave, plus 2 weeks for prenatal

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is an enormous policy gap that harms women, children, families, and the economy. We should have universal paid leave.

Countries that have extended maternity leave and benefits also have exponentially high taxes on personal income. To achieve the same in the US the tax would have to be incremental tax increases over a long period of time. Highest tax rate for high earners now is 37%. It would take decades to increase taxes on the Uber rich and it simply is not going to happen.

DP there are currently several states with paid family leave systems in place, some of which have existed for decades

California has a huge tax base and very high taxes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is an enormous policy gap that harms women, children, families, and the economy. We should have universal paid leave.

Why? Being a parent and having a pregnancy is a choice. You have annual/sick leave. Save it for a few years like the rest of us.

My employer doesn’t roll over annual and sick leave. How do you suppose I “save it up”? Plus my employer can deny requests for annual leave at its discretion, and I only get 7 sick days per year. Last time I checked, you can’t recover from childbirth in 7 days.

Leave without pay, like the rest of us.

Not eligible for FMLA 🙃

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is an enormous policy gap that harms women, children, families, and the economy. We should have universal paid leave.

Countries that have extended maternity leave and benefits also have exponentially high taxes on personal income. To achieve the same in the US the tax would have to be incremental tax increases over a long period of time. Highest tax rate for high earners now is 37%. It would take decades to increase taxes on the Uber rich and it simply is not going to happen.

Taxes run at around 50% for everyone, including low wage earners to cover this stuff.

Much higher when you include federal, state, Medicare, fica, etc plus property taxes and taxes on all goods and services and tolls.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is an enormous policy gap that harms women, children, families, and the economy. We should have universal paid leave.

Why? Being a parent and having a pregnancy is a choice. You have annual/sick leave. Save it for a few years like the rest of us.

My employer doesn’t roll over annual and sick leave. How do you suppose I “save it up”? Plus my employer can deny requests for annual leave at its discretion, and I only get 7 sick days per year. Last time I checked, you can’t recover from childbirth in 7 days.

Leave without pay, like the rest of us.