Senate Defeat of Paid Family Leave Bill is a Loss for Connecticut’s Small Businesses

For Immediate Release: 
Thursday, May 10, 2018

Statement by Erik Rettig, Northeast Director for Small Business Majority, on why the Connecticut Senate’s decision not to advance a state-run family leave program is bad news for small employers

We’re disappointed the Connecticut Senate failed to advance SB1, An Act Concerning Earned Family and Medical Leave, because this bill would have leveled the playing field for the many small firms that cannot afford to provide paid leave benefits.

This measure would have provided employees in Connecticut with up to 12 weeks of paid leave per year to bond with a new child or care for a seriously ill family member. This sort of family leave program would have greatly benefited small businesses that lack the resources to offer this type of benefit by reducing turnover, increasing productivity and boosting employee morale. What’s more, the program would have been funded by modest employee payroll deductions—meaning small businesses could offer paid leave at no added cost to their business.

It should come as no surprise then that the small business community strongly supports this type of program. Small Business Majority’s scientific opinion polling found 61 percent of small employers nationwide back the creation of state-administered paid family and medical leave insurance programs funded entirely by modest employee contributions.

Small employers are well aware of the importance of  giving employees ways to strike a balance between their work and family obligations, but they need options that also make sense for their business’ bottom lines. SB1 would have addressed those concerns, which is why we hope the Connecticut legislature takes up this measure again in the future.

About Small Business Majority

Small Business Majority was founded and is run by small business owners to focus on solving the biggest problems facing small businesses today. Since 2005, we have actively engaged small business owners and policymakers in support of public policy solutions, and have delivered information and resources to entrepreneurs that promote small business growth and drive a strong economy. We regularly engage our network of 55,000 small business owners along with a formal strategic partnership program of more than 150 business organizations, enabling us to reach more than 500,000 entrepreneurs. Our extensive scientific polling, focus groups and economic research help us educate and inform policymakers, the media and other stakeholders about key issues impacting small businesses and freelancers, including access to capital, taxes, healthcare, retirement, entrepreneurship and workforce development. Learn more about us on our website and follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram.

Press State: 
CT