Archived News Release--Caution: information may be out of date.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

OPA Press Release: New Survey Results: Millions of Americans Benefit from, Support FMLA [01/09/2001]

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The U. S. Department of Labor today released a report on the results of employee and employer surveys on family and medical leave policies, including the 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) - the first legislation President Clinton signed. Balancing the Needs of Families and Employers reports on 2000 updates to surveys conducted in 1995.

"The results of these surveys show that FMLA is working well for tens of millions of Americans. And it is working without the burden to business many have feared. But we can and should do more for those workers who still face the challenge of balancing work and family," U.S. Labor Secretary Alexis M. Herman said of the findings.

Surveyed workers reported overwhelming support for the ideas embodied in the FMLA. Further, more than eight out of ten employers report that providing family and medical leave resulted in either positive or no noticeable impact on company productivity, profits or growth.

"Family leave is like 911 -- you don't use it unless you truly need it but it's critically important when you do,"said Senator Chris Dodd, author of the FMLA. "Thankfully this report indicates that family and medical leave is doing what it should - helping families - but now we need to do more to ensure that even more people can access its benefits." Senator Dodd has introduced in the past and is expected to introduce legislation in this session to increase the number of workers covered by family leave and a measure to make taking leave more affordable.

The FMLA allows workers to take up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave to care for a seriously ill child, spouse or parent; a newborn, newly adopted or newly placed child; or for their own serious health problem, without fear of losing their jobs. More than six in ten American workers are covered and eligible under the Act. Survey results are provided to inform policy discussion about the Act and are posted on www.dol.gov/dol/asp/public/fmla/main.htm.

Archived News Release--Caution: information may be out of date.