U.S. Lags Behind in Work-Life

Balance Policies

A new report by researchers at Harvard and McGill Universities found the United States lags far behind other most industrial countries in supporting  policies that promote work-life balance, the National Partnership for Women & Families reported.  Raising the Global Floor: Dismantling the Myth that We Can't Afford Good Working Conditions for Everyone found that 163 nations around the world guarantee paid sick leave, 164 nations guarantee paid annual leave, 177 nations guarantee paid leave for new mothers, 174 nations guarantee paid leave for new fathers, 48 nations guarantee paid time off to care for children's health, 157 nations guarantee workers a day of rest each week.  The U.S provides none of these benefits.  The report also found that none of these working conditions is linked with lower levels of economic competitiveness or employment, and in fact, that a number of the benefits were associated with increased competitiveness.  Read about AAUW's work to promote policies that allow workers to balance work and family responsibilities.