Issue Position: Balancing Work & Family Life

Issue Position

Over the last few decades, the "typical" American family has changed. We used to be a nation of predominately "nuclear families," complete with one breadwinner, and one full time parent who stayed home with the kids. Today, three-quarters of all mothers work and, in about 80% of two-parent families, both parents work outside the home. Unfortunately, the laws governing work- life balance haven't kept up with these changes. In fact, our country ranks at the bottom of industrialized countries when it comes to such issues as paid sick and maternal and paternal leave; access to affordable child care; and policies that promote flexible workplaces. It's no wonder then that so many parents are finding it hard to both raise a family, as well as succeed in their career.

As the mother of four, and a grandmother of five, I know firsthand how hard this can be. That's why I introduced H.R. 2047, the Balancing Act, a comprehensive legislative package that would provide families with the flexibility that they need to meet these challenges. My legislation would improve the lives of working families by not only expanding access to the Family and Medical Leave Act, but by making it easier for workers to take advantage of it. The Balancing Act also would provide paid family and medical leave, expanded child care opportunities, in-school and after-school options, and a variety of other initiatives that will help working parents. This isn't good just for workers, these policies are also good for employers. Studies have shown that workers with the flexibility to balance work and family are loyal to their employers, and tend to stay longer in their jobs.

As the Chair of the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, I have held several hearings on the challenges of balancing work and family. Last Congress I introduced H.R. 3481, the Support for Injured Service members Act, which amended the Family and Medical Leave Act to provide military family members up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave from their jobs for matters related to deployment of a loved one and up to six months of unpaid leave to care for injured service members. If a service member is about to be deployed or is wounded in defense of our nation, the last thing their family members should have to worry about is losing their job in order to care for them or take care of essential business. I am proud that my proposal was signed into law in January 2008, and became the first-ever expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act in its fifteen-year history.

Finally, I believe that the last thing any parent should have to worry about is the health of their children when they drop them off at school each morning. That's why I introduced H.R. 1324, the Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act of 2009, a bill which would increase the nutritional standards of foods and drinks sold outside of school meals so that students eat foods with greater nutritional value. In addition, I support after school activities for children which will give them a safe place to go while their parents are at work. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly seven million children are left alone after school each week without adult supervision or structured activities of any kind. No wonder then that juvenile crime peaks between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. In fact, teens are more likely to be victims of serious violent crime in the hour after school lets out than any other time. That's why we must let parents know that their kids have safe places to go when the last bell rings at school.

While the Balancing Act is the first step in giving workers greater ability to earn a living and care for their families, we must continue to find ways to help meet the challenges of balancing work and home life. You can be sure that I will continue to fight for our nation's families.

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