The Brown School at Washington University’s Clark-Fox Policy Institute hosted a virtual panel  discussion on Zoom about the importance of paid leave for families, Feb. 28. The event was titled “Supporting Working Parents: Family Friendly Business Policies” and featured five panelists from organizations in the St. Louis area, including a panelist from the City of St. Louis Mayor’s Office.

The virtual event had around 150 attendees and the panelists intended to facilitate a discussion that would encourage employers to review and revise their paid leave policies as well as empower employees to advocate for better policies for themselves.

The panel launched the release of a three-part series of policy briefs meant to inform businesses about how they can implement family-friendly business policies. The paid leave brief, which contains the latest empirical data and actionable strategies, is meant to serve as a tool for employers who are looking to improve their leave policies.     

According to the Clark-Fox Institute’s website, paid leave is the “portfolio of benefits that are offered to employees to protect their income when they need to take a limited period of time off from work to care for themselves or a family member.”   

Stephanie Andersen, manager of the Clark-Fox Policy Institute, served as the moderator. She stated that the current statistics on paid leave demonstrate the need for better policies. 

“The stark reality is that just 27% of workers have access to paid leave, and amongst the lowest wage workers, who are predominantly women and workers of color, 94% have no access to paid family leave,” Andersen said.       

One of the panelists was Ellicia Lanier, the Clark-Fox Policy Institute Scholar-in-Residence. She is also the Executive Director of Urban Sprouts Child Development Center, a St. Louis-based childcare center. She emphasized how paid leave can alleviate the pressure on the strained Early Childhood Education (ECE) system.

“Providing paid leave gives time for bonding during the crucial first year of a baby’s life and supports parents’ physical and mental health”, Lanier said. “Paid leave could also help take some of the pressure off an already strained childcare system which has nowhere near enough spots and years-long waitlists.”

In addition to alleviating pressure off the ECE system, there are a variety of benefits to businesses that adopt these paid leave policies. These include boosting employee retention and satisfaction, reducing turnover costs for businesses, and stimulating economic growth by ensuring families have the financial stability to contribute to consumer spending.

Gary Parker, the Brown School Associate Dean for External Affairs and Director of the Clark-Fox Policy Institute, said that when businesses offer their employees paid leave, they are not only supporting working parents but also the economy.

“Parents shouldn’t have to choose between their careers and family responsibilities,” Parker said. “By adopting paid leave policies, businesses can directly support working families and drive economic growth.”