New Guide Walks Connecticut Entrepreneurs Through Ins and Outs of State̢??‰?s Family Medical Leave Policies

Washington, DC̢??‰??In celebration of National Small Business Week, Small Business Majority released a comprehensive guide today to help Connecticut small employers understand the state̢??‰?s current family medical leave policies and how enacting a stronger family leave insurance program could benefit their small business.

̢???Access to paid family leave helps both the employee and the employer,̢???? said Michelle Noehren, co-chair of the Connecticut Campaign for Paid Family Leave. ̢???When employees know they can take time off after the birth/adoption of a child, if they or a loved one become seriously ill or if they have an aging parent who needs extra help, they experience less stress in the workplace and are able to better manage their work-family life. Happier employees means more productive workers and that helps the bottom line.̢????

Connecticut̢??‰?s family leave program currently provides unpaid leave for certain workers who need to take time off from work to bond with a new child or to care for a seriously ill family member. However, many workers cannot afford to take extended unpaid leave, and some small employers are unable provide paid leave benefits to their employees. The guide is intended to answer any questions small employers might have about establishing a paid family leave insurance program in Connecticut, and the effect it would have on small business owners and their workers.

̢???Strong family leave policies help level the playing field between small businesses that want to offer this benefit but can̢??‰?t, and their larger counterparts that can,̢???? said Erik Rettig, Northeast Outreach Manager for Small Business Majority. ̢???Small employers know robust family leave policies create a happier and more productive staff, which in turn leads to increased productivity. Many small business owners think of their employees as family, so it̢??‰?s no surprise they support policies that enable them to foster a happier workforce while protecting their workers and their bottom line. We hope that Connecticut lawmakers will reconsider enacting a more comprehensive family leave insurance program and that this guide allows employers to find the information they need to better understand our state̢??‰?s policies.̢????

Polling recently released by Small Business Majority found small business owners support publicly administered family and medical leave insurance pools, paid with payroll contributions by employees and employers.

In addition, Small Business Majority and its partners have been doing a full-court press over the past year to ensure entrepreneurs have all the educational tools they need to understand this law and other family medical leave policies across the country.

To get a full run-down of what Small Business Majority is doing to keep small businesses up-to-date about policies that affect them, visit our website.

To view the fact sheet visit: http://www.smallbusinessmajority.org/small-business-resources/workforce/connecticut-family-leave-policies.php