Should businesses be required to provide paid leave for full-time employees during the birth of a child or sick family member?

No because salary is the promise of compensation for labor. Anything that is offered to an employee about paid time off should be negotiated up front at the time of employment. If we want equal opportunity, equal pay or any other equality gripe we need to…. 8 years ago from a Republican in Bolivar, TN

No, the government has no place in the free market. Allow companies to compete for employees by offering competing incentives, and encouraging transparency of business practices to consumers. 8 years ago from a Libertarian in Bulverde, TX

Sick family member, yes. It is unexpected and uncontrolled in most cases. Birth of a child is a choice. If you can't afford the time off, then don't get pregnant. 8 years ago from a Republican in Spring, TX

Businesses should only grant paid maternity leave for two kids and sick leave. 7 years ago from a Green in Gurnee, IL

The lack of paid leave in general is a system that only begets inefficiency cycle after cycle. In some countries, men and women will have up to a year or two of government or privately sponsored sick, and more importantly paternity/maternity leave. This is…. 7 years ago from a Green in Oakland, CA

Yes, but only if the sickness is confirmed by a doctor. 8 years ago from a Republican in Rome, NY

Yes, as long as the woman has worked at least two years with the company. 8 years ago from a Green in Lubec, ME

No, but they should be required to allow that person to resume their position after the event. 8 years ago from a Republican in Clarks Summit, PA

Yes, but decrease the number of sick days allowed. 8 years ago from a Constitution in Dublin, PA

No, the government should be hands off and it should be a business' decision. 8 years ago from a Republican in Fulton, MO

Yes, and it should be the same for men and women. 8 years ago from a Democrat in Kenilworth, NJ

With in reason. This new thing of giving men 6 months time off for the birth of a child is ridiculous. He is not going to feed it or do what the mother does. Getting sick of this Nanny State Mentality, Participation Trophies,we are becoming a Nation of Wimps…. 8 years ago from a Republican in Jacksonville, FL

Companies can have whatever benifit plan they want, you agree to it when you start working. 8 years ago from a Libertarian in Lakewood, CO

No, you should only be paid for what you do. 8 years ago from a Republican in Leeds, NY

Yes but at a reduced rate no lower than minimum wage and for no longer than 1 month. 8 years ago from a Republican in Dallas, TX

Some companies award a certain number of hours for a measure of hours/ days worked and allow those hours / days to be used for any purpose the employee needs. I've worked in a system like this and it works . 8 years ago from a Republican in Bloomington, IL

Yes and abolish taxes on businesses that don't have shareholders. 8 years ago from a Democrat in Austin, TX

No, but a company that gives maternity leave must give it to both mother and father. Also an employer can not hold against an employee taking there earned sick leave for care of a family member. 8 years ago from a Republican in Parkwood, WA

Yes, but as long as paid leaves for caring for sick family members are equally available to people without children. 8 years ago from a Green in Rochester, NY

Not required but highly encouraged culturally. 8 years ago from a Democrat in New Franklin, OH

Yes, but limit the amount of time. The company is without the worker and paying money. At some financial point this model fails. 8 years ago from a Republican in Waimanalo Beach, HI

Limit it to 6 weeks at 60% of their pay. It's not equitable to those who never use it, or they can pay into an optional paid leave fund. 8 years ago from a Republican in Derry, NH

No because they should keep it the way it is. That part of our government isn't broken. 8 years ago from a Republican in Romeoville, IL

Companies should do what is best for their employees but not at the expense of other workers and the companies mission. Both men and women should get paid time off, but it should become unpaid after 14 days, but employee may return to work after a 3 month…. 8 years ago from a Democrat in Seattle, WA

Yes, but to a point. Extended periods of absence would be outrageous; recommended days of leave should be published by insurance industry experts. 8 years ago from a Republican in Elkins, AR

If it is accurately documented and legitimate to many people take advantage of the fmla program to name one example. 8 years ago from a Republican in Potwin, KS

We should give paid maternity leave for full-time workers for real jobs (places like McDonald's doesn't count). As for sick people, I don't think that should be the responsibility of the employer. 8 years ago from a Republican in Lynchburg, VA

Yes, for maternity leave but for a small amount of time and at a lesser rate. No on days missed for being sick. 8 years ago from a Democrat in Seminole, FL

Not for sickness, allow time off but no pay. Paid time off for third trimester and 2 weeks after birth for pregnancy. Only allow maternity leave/pay if party is not pregnant at time of hire. If known to be pregnant at time of hire and information is withheld…. 8 years ago from a Constitution in Phoenix, AZ

Yes, lack of paid leave is important to men and women who are working and need the time to help start/help a growing family. 8 years ago from a Constitution in Waterbury, CT

No, it is not the government's job to decide whether a company has to do that or not. 8 years ago from a Republican in Boise City, ID

Companies should be able to compete for good workers by their benefits packages. 8 years ago from a Republican in Porterdale, GA

Only if there is a sick family member. 8 years ago from a Green in Baldwin Park, CA

If they hold the job then 1/2 pay. 8 years ago from a Constitution in Foundryville, PA

Depends on the size of the business. Small businesses could be financially devastated if they are required to do this. 8 years ago from a Democrat in Bridgeton, NJ

Yes, but limit the number of days and apply to the primary care giver only. There are voluntary employee pools for extended leaves that have been or can be created if the paid leave isn't long enough. Lack of common sense, lessening of work ethic, ''political…. 8 years ago from a Democrat in Southern Pines, NC

Not required, but there could be some tax incentives to encourage businesses to do this. 8 years ago from a Green in Seminole, FL

Yes but only once in three years and should be available to both married/civil union spouses. Majority of funding comes from government. 8 years ago from a Constitution in Philadelphia, PA

Yes sick leave
no -maternity leave is offensive to those women who will never have children, 3 months is too long for maternity leave. 8 years ago from a Democrat in Katy, TX

Realistic and competitive amount, with a time increase that could be taken at the parents' risk. 8 years ago from a Constitution in New Bloomfield, MO

No, it should be left to the business. 8 years ago from a Republican in Bartlesville, OK

There should be federal paid leave. 8 years ago from a Green in Miami, FL

Yes, if the company is a corporation, but no for small business. 8 years ago from a Republican in Chicago, IL