A Better Balance

Every expecting parent deserves to know what to expect when it comes to legal rights around taking paid family/parental leave! We spoke with What to Expect for their new parental leave glossary for families: https://lnkd.in/eCh64CQv

"This particular case is part of this much broader attack on women’s rights and reproductive freedom." A federal judge ruled that 8,000 Catholic employers can reject Pregnant Workers Fairness Act regulations around time off for abortion and fertility care.

You're invited! On October 9 in New York City, join us in celebrating our Co-Founders and outgoing Co-Presidents Dina Bakst and Sherry Leiwant. We’ll share drinks, remarks, and reflections on the last 18 years of A Better Balance as we honor Dina and Sherry’s legacy as leaders in the movement for work-family justice and welcome our new President, Inimai Chettiar. RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/eASMnfqT

“There are vast disparities and access to critical workplace protections that vary by state." In light of a new Oxfam America report, A Better Balance President Inimai Chettiar spoke to CNBC's Make It about how work-family policies can help states better support working women, especially mothers and women of color: 

Paid leave is a priority for younger workers—but most don't have it. That needs to change. “Every single worker is going to experience a need to take leave or to have sick time. Everyone gets sick. Everyone has different versions of their own family," ABB legal fellow Carmen McCoy told Teen Vogue for this important story, which highlights our resources for young people looking to understand their workplace rights.

Gun violence survivors in New York face numerous structural barriers. We spoke to Amsterdam News about how guaranteeing robust, comprehensive paid medical leave for New Yorkers would help survivors recover without sacrificing their economic security:

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act is protecting pregnant and postpartum workers' health and economic security nationwide. A Better Balance Senior Staff Attorney Dana Bolger joined Bloomberg Law's podcast to discuss the wide array of stakeholders defending the PWFA against a lawsuit that would have far-reaching consequences, not only for pregnant workers but for our democracy as a whole. Tune in at the 31:10 mark to listen:

August is National Breastfeeding Month. Access to paid leave can help support lactating workers as they establish chest- or breastfeeding if they choose to do so. We remain committed to fighting for all the supportive policies working parents need—particularly young working parents, who disproportionately work in low wage, part time, and seasonal positions where they lack these supports— in order to manage their lactation needs:

Breaking: A Better Balance and March of Dimes filed an amicus brief before the Fifth Circuit defending the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act against an extremist lawsuit that puts pregnant workers' health and hard-won rights at stake. Learn more:

I am thrilled to share that starting today, I will serve as President of A Better Balance, the country’s leading legal organization working to secure adequate leave policies and accommodations for workers. My passion for ABB's mission is both personal and professional. As someone who had a non-traditional, intense six-year path to parenthood, almost died twice in the process with long rehabs, had a debilitating disease in pregnancy, and a baby with medical issues, I would not have survived without accommodations from employers. Throughout my journey, I met many people who were not as fortunate and gave up on their dreams to have children. I promised myself that on the other end, I would join the gender/repro justice and work justice movement to fight for others in more dire circumstances. During my 15 years in the fight to end mass incarceration, I worked to bring public attention to how mass incarceration fuels the intergenerational cycle of poverty and how systemic government policies to disappear large swaths of Black and brown men from our communities has left so many women and loved ones of those incarcerated to be the primary earner and primary caregiver to generations of children, with the impossible task of balancing low-wage work and childcare demands. ABB’s mission is to ensure individuals are not required to choose between job security and taking care of themselves or loved ones. I am so excited to join the tremendous team at ABB and the fight for work-family justice.