Our communities are stronger when Vermont workers can count on paid leave.
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Everyone will need time away from work to care for themselves or a loved one at some point in their lives. Despite this universal need, over 70 percent of Vermont workers do not have access to paid family and medical leave through their employer.
A public paid leave program for all working Vermonters is the most efficient and affordable way to ensure no one has to choose between making a living and caring for themselves or their loved ones. With paid leave, families can support aging loved ones, workers can address serious health needs, small businesses can attract and retain employees, and young people are more likely to build a life for themselves here in the Green Mountains.
This future is within reach – but only with your help.
Paid Leave…
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Nearly every other industrialized country in the world, plus thirteen states – including New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Maine – have passed universal paid leave policies. We know from their experience that public paid leave for every worker is the most efficient and affordable way to ensure no one has to choose between making a living and caring for themselves or their loved ones.
By replacing 90 percent of most workers' wages for up to 12 weeks during serious life events, a strong paid leave program would give Vermonters the time they need to take care of themselves and their loved ones when they need it most, at a lower cost than the private market offers.
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Paid leave is a lifeline for working people. As Vermonters, we pride ourselves on hard work and taking care of each other. But today, paid leave is largely reserved for those at the top of the economic ladder. That leaves most workers to choose between making a paycheck or taking care of themselves or their loved ones during the most trying times of their lives.
A public paid leave program for all working Vermonters would provide economic stability for those who need it most, keeping an estimated 1,800 Vermonters out of poverty each year and strengthening workforce participation. When workers are safe and healthy, our families, businesses, and economy thrive.
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Paid family and medical leave is a vital investment in Vermont’s workforce and economy. As Vermont’s population ages, employers need effective policies that attract and retain workers. Research shows paid leave helps businesses hire top talent, reduce turnover, and boost productivity and morale.
Paid leave also levels the playing field. Small businesses can offer benefits they otherwise couldn’t afford, while entrepreneurs gain the security they need to take risks and launch new ventures, driving innovation and allowing small businesses a fairer chance to compete with larger companies. In short: paid leave is good business
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Family relationships are our closest bonds, and paid leave ensures loved ones can care for each other without added financial stress. Paid leave means paid time off to support a recovering parent, help a family member heal from a serious health emergency, bond with a new child, or navigate the challenges of a military deployment.
Every year, 70,000 Vermonters provide an estimated $1.23 billion worth of unpaid caregiving – critical work that sustains families and strengthens communities. During life’s most critical moments, paid leave provides the support families need to care, recover, and get back on their feet.
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Paid leave is a vital investment in Vermont’s people and economic future. By keeping Vermonters healthy and helping attract and keep working-age people in the state, a paid leave program for all workers is an important step toward reversing Vermont’s demographic decline and securing our long-term prosperity.
It could also save the state millions each year by lowering early childcare costs, reducing reliance on public assistance, and improving health outcomes – all while helping small businesses compete and families and communities to thrive.