California may allow small companies to go on maternity leave

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The governor of California is considering a bill that allows small companies to go on maternity leave on 6 weeks while maintaining a workplace.

The law, called SB 654, on Wednesday won the required number of votes in the Senate and is now awaiting the signature of the state governor.

This bill will allow parents working in small companies (20-49 employees on staff) to take 6 weeks of maternity leave to care for a newborn or adopted child, without fear of losing their job.

At the moment, the law protects only those who work in enterprises where the number of employees exceeds 50 people.

The bill will also allow workers to access the nursing program, which provides up to 6 weeks of leave with partial pay.

By signing the law, the governor will help 2,7 to millions of workers across the state.

Meanwhile, the bill faced significant opposition from the business community, which called it a “job killer” and said it would overburden small companies.

Senator Jeff Stone said it would kill a small business that is trying its best to meet the new minimum wage requirements adopted this year.

Senator Hanna-Beth Jackson argues that the bill will affect only 6,3% of Californian companies helping 16% of their workforce. She stressed that she had done everything possible to solve the problems of small business by introducing changes that narrowed the scope of the law.

“But we live in a different world today, colleagues,” she said. “This is a world where men and women work. This is a world where men and women want to be able to be with their newborns, and frankly, no parent should have to choose between the well-being of their child and the financial security of their family.”

15 years ago, the state became the first in the country to guarantee paid leave to care for a child or a sick family member. However, parents cannot use all the benefits of the law: some are not able to take leave due to restrictions on payments, while others are afraid of losing their jobs.

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