Supporting and protecting the emerging workforce paves the way for more opportunities throughout their careers. As of March 2025, approximately 22.4 million 16-to 24-year-olds were employed in this country, illustrating a trend of more young people entering the workforce. However, with the rising cost of living – and in the absence of federal paid family and medical leave and paid sick time programs – young workers are struggling to afford everyday necessities, even when working more than one job.
We can’t leave a generation of workers behind; that’s why we’re fighting tirelessly for the protections young people need in order to maintain their economic security and thrive throughout their careers.
Our fact sheets compile data making the case for workplace protections that allow the young workers of today and tomorrow, as well as their loved ones and families, to be supported without having to leave the workforce or sacrifice income:
- Closing the Wage Gap for Young Black Women – Black women have the highest labor force participation rates and are often the primary breadwinners and caregivers for their families, yet still face an unacceptable wage gap compared to the earnings of white men working full time – a gap that’s even larger in Southern states, like Texas, Georgia, and Louisiana. Supportive policies can play a key role in helping to close this gap by keeping young Black women attached to their jobs and earning a paycheck, without having to compromise their health or caregiving needs.
- The Case for Paid Family and Medical Leave for Foster Placement – Access to paid family and medical leave is critical for foster families, especially during the foster placement process, and has been shown to improve the health of both foster children and parents. Ensuring paid family and medical leave programs are inclusive of new foster parents with a recently placed foster child significantly improves outcomes for children in the foster system, and ensures that families can bond and thrive.
- Parents Caring for Adult Children Need Access to Paid Leave – Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, research shows more and more young adults are living with their parents. Many young adults depend on their parents for care when they’re sick or managing a disability. Even among those who don’t live with their parents, a significant number still rely on them for caregiving needs, and balancing being there for their loved ones with work responsibilities can be challenging for parents and children alike. All parents need paid sick time and paid family and medical leave laws that use expansive and inclusive language to ensure that they can care for their children in times of need, regardless of their age.
- Part-Time Workers Need Paid Leave – There are 28 million part-time workers in the United States, including many young workers. Right now, more than 9 million workers – the highest number since 2004 – hold multiple jobs. Yet, part-time workers are often not covered by employer-provided workplace policies like paid family and medical leave and paid sick leave. Providing part-time workers with these benefits is beneficial not only for workers, but for businesses and economies as a whole.
- The Importance of Paid Family and Medical Leave for Young Breastfeeding & Lactating Workers– Paid family and medical leave is an essential tool in establishing and sustaining breastfeeding, especially for young workers, who disproportionately work in industries without employer paid leave policies. Ensuring that all workers have a legal right to paid leave would improve health equity for young people by allowing all workers who choose to breastfeed to continue pursuing education and job opportunities without having to put their career on hold.
- The Need for Paid Family and Medical Leave As A Critical Support for Young Adults’ Maternal Health – Pregnant and postpartum workers across the country now have groundbreaking new rights under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act & PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act. These protections will make a world of difference, especially for workers in low-wage, physically demanding jobs – positions young people frequently occupy. Still, approximately 150 out of 1,000 pregnant people aged 18-24 experience pregnancy complications, which disproportionately impact Black birthing people. A national right to paid family and medical leave would help young pregnant workers care for themselves and promote better pregnancy and birth outcomes without taking a pay cut.
- Comprehensive Paid Family and Medical Leave: A Critical Measure for LGBTQ Youth – As hostility and discrimination against LGBTQ individuals increases amidst the current administration’s actions, strong paid family and medical leave is an especially critical measure for LGBTQ youths, so that they can achieve equal opportunities in the workplace. Paid family and medical leave programs that cover all of a worker’s closest loved ones, including those the worker is not legally or biologically related to, provide essential support for LGBTQ youths and their family members, many of whom rely on or care for chosen family members.
- The Importance of a National Paid Sick Leave Law for Young Workers of Color – 28 million Americans do not have access to even a single day of paid sick leave a year, and 80% of those that do are not allowed to use those days to care for a family member. Industries like leisure, hospitality and retail, where both young workers and workers of color are overrepresented, are the least likely to provide paid sick leave. As a result, many young workers of color are forced to choose between their jobs and staying home to recover – and avoid spreading contagious illnesses to coworkers and the public – or to care for a sick child or family member.
- The Importance of a National Right to Paid Family and Medical Leave for Young Workers of Color – Without access to paid family and medical leave, workers who are dealing with serious illness or injury, welcoming a new child, or caring for a loved one are often pushed out of the job, which can lead to a downward cycle of poverty following a major medical event. This is a problem especially affecting young workers of color, who are more likely to hold low-paying jobs without this critical benefit. A national right to paid leave is necessary to guarantee that everyone, especially young workers of color, have the tools they need to protect their health and that of their family, as well as their economic security.
These resources aim to highlight how access to essential workplace supports can benefit the workforce of today and tomorrow, promoting equity for those at a key juncture in their budding careers and economic security. We won’t stop fighting until these protections are a reality for all workers.
