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I am in total support of Paid Family Leave Insurance. Although I am now retired I have had more than one instance in my life where I could have used some Paid Leave to take care of family.

Because I worked in position covered by a union contract I was allowed to use my personal illness leave and vacation leave to take care of my mother when she was dying. If I had access to Paid Family Leave, I could have used my vacation time for myself after her death.

I also took care of my step father as he was dying, again using my personal vacation time.

Now, as a grandparent, my husband and I have volunteered to do full-time childcare for our great-grandchild. Our granddaughter went back to work barely 5 weeks after the birth of her first child. Her second child was born February 2 and, because she is more established in her position, was able to take 2 full months. We can see a real difference in her -- nursing her baby is going better, she is much better rested, and the baby is thriving. If Paid Famly Leave had been available to her when her first son was born, I'm sure her experience then would have been similar.

As she said recently to me, "I would hardly miss two cents an hour."

I strongly urge our Legislature to put Oregon on the map with Paid Family Leave Insurance. It can only benefit employers, employees, and their families.

posted 4 years, 1 month ago
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