A new survey concludes Ohio could do more to support new parents and families dealing with serious illnesses. Ohio Public Radio's Karen Kasler reports.
Ohio is among the 31 states earning either a D or an F for its failure to require policies on family and medical leave and workplace rights for new parents, according to a study from the National Partnership for Women & Families. Vice President Vicki Shabo says there are no laws requiring private employers to offer paid family leave, pregnancy disability or flexible use of sick time.
“State workers do a little bit better, but in general, most Ohio workers really don’t have any additional protections beyond the basics of federal standards.”
Shabo says that support for these kinds of policies go across party lines, Republican-dominated states such as Ohio are less likely to make changes. But Shabo says arguments that new mandates would cost businesses aren’t supported by data from states that have required these policies.