Abstract
In this brief, author Kristin Smith reports that in December 2022, just prior to the launch of the NH Paid Family and Medical Leave Program, 40 percent of New Hampshire workers did not have access to paid medical, parental, or family leave. In its first year, the program reached 14,712 workers or less than 3 percent of Granite State workers. Workers in small firms report lower rates of access than workers in larger firms. Women also have lower access to paid leave than men. In addition to a lack of awareness, low enrollment may be linked to NH Paid Family and Medical Leave Program components. The short length of leave provided by the program (six weeks) may also be a barrier, as under half of workers believe six weeks is about the right amount. If state policymakers intend to increase access to, and decrease inequity in, paid family and medical leave, they could consider including job protection and increasing the length of leave offered by the program.
Department
Carsey School of Public Policy
Publication Date
Winter 2-7-2024
Series
National Issue Brief No. 179
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
Smith, Kristin E., "New Hampshire Employees Working in Small Firms Lack Access to Paid Family and Medical Leave" (2024). The Carsey School of Public Policy at the Scholars' Repository. 481.
https://scholars.unh.edu/carsey/481
Rights
Copyright 2024. Carsey School of Public Policy. These materials may be used for the purposes of research, teaching, and private study. For all other uses, contact the copyright holder.