Building a Movement for Paid Leave

Changing workplaces to make them substantially better for moms and caregivers is, in fact, possible.

Inspired by our show on paid family leave back in 2019, we hear from some Double Shift listeners who fiercely advocated for -- and got -- better paid family leave at their companies.

We are closer than ever before to getting federally funded paid leave for everyone. This is so important, but it’s just one part of an ongoing movement. Today’s episode offers encouragement, some playbook tactics, some real world examples, and something we all need right now -- hope.

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Listen to our episode from 2019, Paid Leave, We Can Do Better.

Information and Resources:

“Where are the Mothers?” Read host Katherine Goldstein’s original reporting about how the women at the New York Times improved their parental leave.

Making the case for parental leave:

• “5 Ways to Explain the Urgent Need for Paid Family Leave.”
• “The Economic Benefits of Paid Parental Leave.”
• “Wal-Mart and Now Starbucks: Why More Big Companies are Offering Paid Family Leave.”

Read The NYTimes Parenting Section’s Guide to negotiating for parental leave:

• “How to Ask for Parental Leave When You’re an Hourly Worker”
• “How Freelancing Parents Can Create Maternity or Paternity Leave.”
• “How to Ask for Maternity or Paternity Leave When Your Company Has No Policy.”

Additional organizations that support family leave advocacy:

• Paid Leave US is a national advocacy organization aimed at getting national paid family leave by 2022. Check out their FAQ, templates for getting better workplace policies and a cost benefit analysis resource.
• A Better Balance has tons of resources on knowing your rights around family leave, pregnancy and more.
• National Domestic Workers Alliance has an online platform for paid leave for domestic workers.

Get in touch with Erin Grau on LinkedIn, or email her at e@charterworks.com.

Check out The Chamber of Mothers, and get involved.

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Listen to White Picket Fence Season 2, wherever you get your podcasts.