Newsroom Category: National Laws

The CARES Act Will Provide Strong Supports for Workers, But We Need Paid Leave for All

We congratulate Congress for passing the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the CARES Act, and taking important steps to address the needs of our workforce during this crisis. These laws for the first time provide a national right to paid sick leave for many workers, and expand the right to unemployment insurance to many more workers who were previously excluded.

EEOC Issues Guidance for the ADA & Pandemic Preparations in the Workplace

Although the COVID-19 coronavirus has been designated as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, you still have rights under the ADA. The EEOC has provided guidance consistent with these workplace protections and rules. This publication, which was written during the prior H1N1 outbreak, is still relevant today and identifies established ADA and Rehabilitation Act (which applies to federal employees) principles to answer questions frequently asked about the workplace during a pandemic.

The PAID Leave Act Would Guarantee the Paid Sick Time and Paid Family & Medical Leave All Workers Need Now 

The PAID Leave Act, introduced by Rep. DeLauro, Sen. Gillibrand, and Sen. Murray, is a comprehensive emergency paid sick time and paid family and medical leave bill that builds on the protections in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. As COVID-19 spreads and businesses and schools close down nationwide, this bill provides relief that workers and families need now.

We Applaud the Passage of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act & Call for Further, Immediate Action to Protect All Workers & Families 

As this country faces a public health emergency of unprecedented proportions, we are pleased that Congress has passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which will provide relief working families need now. For the first time in history, Congress is guaranteeing workers paid sick time to care for their own health or for some close family members when impacted by COVID-19. While passing this bill was a necessary first step, we urge Congress to take further action. 

The House-Passed Families First Coronavirus Response Act Is a Critical First Step for Workers

For the first time in history, Congress is addressing the need of workers for paid sick time for themselves or some close family members when impacted by the coronavirus. The bill that was passed last night provides for 10 paid sick days and 12 weeks paid leave for those who are sick from the coronavirus, quarantined, affected by closures or caring for a close family member who is sick, quarantined or affected by closures of schools.

To Stop the Spread of Coronavirus, Paid Sick Time Is More Urgent Than Ever

As the U.S. gears up to fight the spread of the Coronavirus, the CDC is advising that Americans, when sick, should not go to work or school. But the sobering reality is that for tens of millions of workers across the U.S.—especially those who are juggling caring for a family—taking a single sick day could mean being unable to afford basic necessities, or even losing a job.

A Historic Congressional Hearing on the Paid Family & Medical Leave Workers Need

On January 28, the House Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing on legislative proposals for paid family and medical leave, helmed by Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a champion of The FAMILY Act. The FAMILY Act would guarantee U.S. workers 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave to welcome a new child, care for a family member with a serious illness or disability, attend to their own serious medical needs, or deal with a loved one’s deployment. The hearing represents a historic step forward for this critical legislation! 

A Better Balance Applauds House Committee’s Bipartisan Approval of Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

Today, the federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act reached a historic milestone with bipartisan approval by the House Committee on Education and Labor. This news comes on the heels of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's official endorsement of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act yesterday. The bill will likely now proceed to the House floor for a vote. 
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