The demands of balancing work and family life come into sharp focus when family caregiving responsibilities require time away from work. A new Pew Research Center study finds that most Americans believe workers should have access to paid leave – whether they are spending time with a new or adopted child, caring for a seriously ill family member or dealing with their own medical situation. But there is no consensus on who should provide the benefit or what role the government should play. Among those who have taken leave in recent years, experiences vary considerably by income.

 

 

Support for paid family and medical leave policies

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Views on the impact of paid leave

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Experiences with leave vary by income

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Many say they took less time off than they needed or wanted to

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See full report here.