More states follow Oregon's lead on paid family leave
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Over the past year, Oregon residents have gained access to state-mandated paid family leave. Since last September, state numbers show, that over half a billion dollars in benefits have been paid out to 73,000 people.
Why it matters: Paid leave policies give new parents time to recover from birth and bond with their babies, while reducing financial stress on growing families.
Friction point: The popularity of Oregon's program in its first year led to a backlog in claims, with some experiencing monthslong delays in payouts and long wait times to speak with customer service representatives.
- In response, the state hired 71 more people and closed down phone lines on Mondays to allow employees more time to focus on processing claims, spokesperson Jack Patterson told Axios.
- As of May, the number of claims over six weeks old reduced by 45%.
- It takes an average 29 days from when a claim is filed until, if approved, a check or debit card is received, Patterson said.
The big picture: The U.S. offers 12 weeks of job-protected, unpaid family leave for some employees, but doesn't have a paid federal parental leave policy.
- Only about 27% of Americans working in the private sector have access to paid family leave when they welcome a new child, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Women's Bureau.
The latest: Pregnant people are now entitled to "reasonable accommodations," like the ability to telework and take time off for health care appointments, thanks to the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.
- And because of the PUMP Act, breastfeeding parents are entitled to break time and a private place to pump (that's not the bathroom).
Zoom in: Here are major ways to get paid in Oregon during parental leave, and they can be combined:
1. Via the state's paid leave laws.
- As of September 2023, Oregon offers up to 12 weeks of paid family bonding leave for eligible employees (within a one-year period).
- Birthing parents could receive two weeks of additional leave.
- The law also protects an employee's job if they've worked for the same employer for at least 90 days.
2. Through your employer.
Between the lines: Often employers say you must work for the company a certain amount of time before you can use paid leave benefits.
- In June, Nike — one of Oregon's largest employers — extended its paid family leave policy from eight to 16 weeks, giving the benefit for the first time to part-time retail employees, too.
- The news came after the company faced backlash from a former Nike runner who said the sportswear giant declined to guarantee her contract if she underperformed after giving birth.
- Intel's 23,000 Oregon employees have access to up to 12 weeks of paid family leave, while new parents, in addition, can work part-time for up to four weeks with full-time pay.
Go deeper: How to determine your paid family leave plan