The following talking points and templates were produced by
the National Partnership for Women & Families and Spitfire Strategies.
SUMMARY OF OBAMA ADMINISTRATION ACTIVITY
On January 15, 2015, President Obama announced a series of initiatives in support of paid sick days and
paid family and medical leave. Specifically, he:

Called on Congress to pass a national paid sick days bill – the Healthy Families Act – which
would guarantee workers in businesses with 15 or more employees the right to earn up to seven
paid sick days a year

Called on states and cities to pass their own paid sick days and paid family and medical leave
laws

Ordered federal agencies to let employees advance up to six weeks of paid sick days to use when
a new child arrives (Note: This is not the same as designated paid parental leave. Instead,
employees will be able to use up to six weeks of their paid sick days in advance, even if they
haven’t earned them yet.)

Called on Congress to pass a proposal that would give federal employees up to six weeks of paid
parental leave

Allocated $1 million in current fiscal year funding and proposed more than $2 billion in future
(FY2016) funding to support state and local efforts to study and implement paid family and
medical leave programs of their own
The following week, on January 20, 2015, the president delivered his State of the Union address, which
included significant mentions of both paid sick days and paid family leave. He said:

“Today, we’re the only advanced country on Earth that doesn’t guarantee paid sick leave or paid
maternity leave to our workers. Forty-three million workers have no paid sick leave. Forty-three
million. Think about that. And that forces too many parents to make the gut-wrenching choice
between a paycheck and a sick kid at home. So I’ll be taking new action to help states adopt paid
leave laws of their own. And since paid sick leave won where it was on the ballot last November,
let’s put it to a vote right here in Washington. Send me a bill that gives every worker in America
the opportunity to earn seven days of paid sick leave. It’s the right thing to do.” …

“These ideas won’t make everybody rich, or relieve every hardship. That’s not the job of
government. To give working families a fair shot, we’ll still need more employers to see beyond
next quarter’s earnings and recognize that investing in their workforce is in their company’s longterm interest. We still need laws that strengthen rather than weaken unions, and give American
workers a voice. But things like child care and sick leave and equal pay; things like lower
mortgage premiums and a higher minimum wage – these ideas will make a meaningful difference
in the lives of millions of families. That is a fact. And that’s what all of us – Republicans and
Democrats alike – were sent here to do.”
KEY TALKING POINTS

President Obama’s support for paid sick days and paid family leave signals real progress in
raising the profile of these policies and his actions send a clear message to the American people
and Congress that he is committed to advancing measures that will allow America’s working
families to make ends meet, stay healthy, and contribute to the economy.

It is difficult for people to afford necessities and get ahead when the nation fails to provide basic
support for workers and their families.

At least 43 million Americans don’t have access to paid sick days, which threatens their financial
security, their health, and the health of our communities.

Just 12 percent of the workforce has paid family leave through an employer, and less than 40
percent has personal medical leave through an employer-provided temporary disability program.
As a result, too many people have to choose between job and family when illness strikes or babies
are born.

Existing paid sick days and paid family leave insurance laws clearly demonstrate that any fears
that these policies will have a negative effect on businesses and economies are unfounded. In fact,
when surveyed, employers generally support these laws after they are implemented and there
have been no signs of economic harm.

In short: When people have access to paid sick days and paid family leave, workers and their
families, businesses and the economy do better and everyone has a fair shot at getting ahead.

For more information and data, see:
o
o
Paid Sick Days: Low Cost, High Reward for Workers, Employers and Communities
Paid Leave Works in California, New Jersey and Rhode Island
o
Paid Family and Medical Leave: Busting 10 Common Myths with Facts and Evidence
LETTER TO THE EDITOR TEMPLATES
Paid Sick Days
Dear Editor,
[Article Reference] from [Date]: People in [City/State Name] and across the country work hard every day
but are one illness or sick kid away from financial hardship. That’s because [number of workers without
paid sick days] workers in [City/State Name] can’t earn a single paid sick day.
Fortunately, President Obama recognizes the harm being caused by our nation’s outdated workplace
policies and has taken bold action to help fix the problem. By announcing his support for paid sick days
laws in his State of the Union address and calling on Congress to pass the Healthy Families Act, which
would establish a national standard, the president has made clear that it is unacceptable for anyone in this
country to have to “make the gut-wrenching choice between a paycheck and a sick kid at home.”
Paid sick days laws have been tested and are working well in states and cities across the country, and all
of the evidence shows they have a positive impact on families’ financial stability, businesses’ bottom
lines, and everyone’s health. Put simply: They are common sense policies that make a big difference.
[State’s] congressional delegation [or specific member of Congress, or state/local lawmakers] should
follow the president’s lead and stand up for [City/State Name] working families, businesses and the local
economy by supporting the Heathy Families Act [and/or state/local bill]. It is past time.
Sincerely,
[Name; Address; City, State; Phone Number; Email Address]
Paid Family and Medical Leave
Dear Editor,
[Article Reference] from [Date]: Many people in [City/State Name] and across the country work hard
every day, but are one accident, diagnosis or new child away from financial hardship or devastation.
That’s because they have no guaranteed right to paid family or medical leave.
No one should have to choose between a paycheck or a job and taking care of themselves or a loved one.
Fortunately, President Obama recognizes this and has taken bold action to help address our nation’s
outdated workplace policies. By announcing his support for paid family leave in his State of the Union
address, and proposing significant funding for states to develop laws that would guarantee it, the president
has sent a clear message that paid leave policies should be a priority.
We already know from paid family leave laws in place in California, New Jersey and Rhode Island that
these policies work well. All the evidence shows that paid leave has a positive impact on families’
financial stability, businesses’ bottom lines, and everyone’s health, while reducing reliance on public
assistance.
[State’s] congressional delegation [or specific member of Congress, or state/local lawmakers] should
follow the president’s lead and stand up for [City/State Name] working families, businesses and the local
economy by supporting paid family and medical leave laws and a national standard like the Family And
Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act. It is past time.
Sincerely,
[Name; Address; City, State; Phone Number; Email Address]
PRESS STATEMENT TEMPLATE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[Date]
Contact: [Name, Email Address, Phone Number]
[Organization Name] Applauds President Obama’s Support for Paid Sick Days and Family Leave,
Urges [State] Lawmakers to Support National Legislation
[CITY, STATE] – [Date] – “President Obama made historic progress toward ensuring more family
friendly workplaces this week by announcing his strong support for paid sick days and paid family leave
laws in his State of the Union address. His leadership and bold action is great news for the tens of
millions of people in [City/State Name] and across the country who are working hard but don’t have the
basic support they need to manage job and family, and that businesses and the economy need to thrive.
Now, it’s time for Congress to follow the president’s lead by supporting the Healthy Families Act, which
would establish a national paid sick days standard, and the Family And Medical Insurance Leave
(FAMILY) Act, which would create a national paid family and medical leave system.
At least 43 million private sector workers in the United States cannot earn paid sick days to use when they
get sick. Fewer than 40 percent of workers have employer-provided paid medical leave they can use for
their own serious health needs, and just 12 percent have employer-provided paid family leave they can
use when a new child arrives or a family member needs care for a serious health issue. At [Organization
Name], we care deeply about [Organizational Mission]. We urge Congress to pass the Healthy Families
Act and the FAMILY Act so people can care for themselves and their loved ones while making ends meet
and contributing to the economy.
Paid sick days and paid family and medical leave policies have been tested and are working well across
the country, benefitting workers, their families, businesses and the economy. Many cities and states
already have their own paid sick days and paid family and medical leave laws in place. [City/State Name]
families and communities deserve better than to have to sacrifice their jobs, their health, and their
economic security when illness strikes, babies are born, or loved ones need care. We urge [State
Congressional Members] and all members of Congress to support paid sick days and paid family and
medical leave laws and the important national standards the Healthy Families Act and the FAMILY Act
would establish.”
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