Paid Leave Is a Lifeline, Not a Luxury: Why Indiana Families Can’t Wait

Paid family and medical leave is more than a workplace benefit—it’s a lifeline during our most vulnerable moments. Whether it’s caring for a loved one with a serious illness, bonding with a foster child, or escaping domestic violence, paid leave ensures families can prioritize health and safety without risking their livelihoods.

Paid leave is essential for managing severe health conditions and reducing stress, especially for low-income and marginalized communities.

Yet, the United States is one of the very few developed countries that does not offer a federal paid leave policy. When forced to choose between a paycheck and caring for a loved one, many people end up losing their jobs or experiencing financial hardship.

Indiana’s Paid Leave Crisis by the numbers:

• 79% of workers—about 2.6 million Hoosiers—do not have paid family leave through their jobs.
• 64% of Indiana workers cannot access unpaid leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
• 23% of mothers return to work 2 weeks after giving birth.
• 7 in 10 family caregivers are employed in addition to their caregiving responsibilities. 2/3 of those caregivers’ report having to reduce working hours or take unpaid leave to meet their caregiving responsibilities.

These statistics underscore the urgent need for inclusive paid leave policies that reflect the realities of being a family caregiver in Indiana.

Paid Leave is Good for Business & Hoosiers

With paid leave, businesses will benefit from a more stable, productive workforce.

• 73% of adults would prefer to live in a state where paid leave is available.
• Lower turnover costs through greater employee retention.
• Small businesses cannot compete with large employers when leave is privately funded. 8 in 10 small business owners support a public funded paid leave program.
• Women who took paid leave for the birth of a child had 39% lower likelihood of receiving welfare and 40% lower likelihood of receiving SNAP benefits within 1 year of returning to work.

Our Vision for Incremental Change

We are committed to advancing incremental but impactful reforms that expand paid leave protections to include:

• Parental leave for foster families, recognizing the unique emotional and logistical needs of foster care placements.
• End-of-life caregiving, allowing families to be present during a loved one’s final days without financial strain.
• Safe leave, ensuring survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking can take time off to seek safety and support.

Paid family and medical leave is a community health imperative and an economic opportunity. By focusing on the needs of Indiana families and pushing for incremental reforms, we can build a more compassionate, resilient, and equitable future.