The United States uniquely lacks a federal paid leave policy, unlike most of the world where nearly all countries offer it. The 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) permits unpaid leave but applies only to certain workers, leaving millions without access. Rates of paid leave are dismally low, with millions unable to take even a day off for illness. Disparities exist as disadvantaged groups, particularly women and people of color, frequently miss out on such benefits, highlighting the need for more comprehensive national legislation.
"It was predictable that women and people of color would be left behind [from the FMLA]," says Erika Moritsugu, Vice President for Congressional Relations and Economic Justice at the National Partnership for Women and Families.
"We're very proud of the unpaid FMLA. It's helped millions of people. But 61 percent of workers in America don't have access to even the FMLA act..."
In 2019, more than 32 million workers couldn't access a single day of paid sick leave, and 4 out of 5 workers did not have access to paid family leave.
The closest that the country has come to catching up with the rest of the world is through the Family and Medical Leave Act, passed in 1993.
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