Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato
Abstract
Minnesota workers deserve a paid family and medical leave policy that strengthens families, increases employee productivity, and builds better communities for all. Current family and medical leave policy in Minnesota disproportionately negatively affects workers in lower-income careers (Minnesotans for Paid Family & Medical Leave, 2023). Rural communities also experience disproportionate negative impacts from current family and medical leave policy due to their proportionately older populations and higher rates of residents with disabilities that — when combined with geographic complicating factors such as distance from medical care, shortages in eldercare and childcare providers, and limited long-term care options — force residents to choose between supporting their families and the opportunity to fully participate in their local economies (Center on Women, Gender, and Public Policy: Humphrey School of Public Affairs, 2019). These issues will continue to plague Minnesotans until addressed. Enacting a paid family and medical leave policy is an important step in ensuring citizens are able to participate fully in Minnesota’s economy and in building stronger, healthier families