DOL to fund studies on paid leave

Washington – The Department of Labor is working to strengthen its efforts to ensure workers have access to paid time off for medical emergencies and other issues.

DOL announced June 15 that it is making $1.25 million available to fund research projects on the most effective ways to develop and implement paid leave policies. The announcement is part of DOL’s Lead on Leave initiative, which highlights how individual workers and organizations have benefited from paid leave policies.

Several cities and states including California, Massachusetts and New Jersey already have passed laws granting paid family and medical leave. DOL hopes that additional funding will encourage other state and local governments to follow suit. The deadline to apply for a grant is July 15.

“Too many workers across the U.S. lack even a single day of paid leave to care for their families or themselves,” Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez said in a press release. “A worker shouldn’t be forced to choose between employment they need and the family they love. These grants will help states and cities lead on paid leave and give more working families the flexibility they need.”