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September 24, 2009

Over 5,000 New Jersey Workers Already Receiving Paid Family Leave Benefits

Governor Corzine announced today, that since its inception on July 1, 2009, Paid Family Leave has provided over 5,000 workers with benefits to care for seriously ill family members, newborn babies, and newly adopted children. The Paid Family Leave program was realized due to the collective efforts of organized labor throughout the state, and it ensures that workers will not have to choose between their jobs and their family.

The success of Paid Family Leave is already well documented, with many of its early recipients praising the program’s value. Today, the Governor visited five women in Bergen County who have received Paid Family Leave benefits and they all discussed the impact the program has had on their lives. The first two women acknowledged the fact that they were able to take time off from work to bond with their newborn babies. A third woman was able to care for her terminally ill son during the final stages of his illness. Another took the time to care for her ailing mother, while the last woman was able to take care of her six-year-old son.

Spending a few weeks with a newborn baby will have a significant and positive impact on that child’s development. Having the time to care for an ailing loved one, allows us to better manage through those difficult times and even come to terms with the gravity of a possible loss.

The program is funded through worker contributions of no more than 64 cents per week and provides up to six weeks of benefits to those who qualify for the program. The program is a moral imperative, and will promote productivity in the workplace since employees will have the freedom to attend to the needs of their families.

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