AARP NJ Supports Family Leave Insurance
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2007-11-20 15:38:59.861599-05:00
According to the June 2007 report AARP: Family Caregiving Valued at $350 Billion, it is estimated that in the US business productivity losses associated with caregiving may total as much as $33 Billion every year.
We believe that employees want to do their jobs effectively, but should not be forced to choose between caring for a sick family member, newborn, or newly adopted child and paying their bills. Therefore, we support Senate Bill S2249 and Assembly Bill A3812, which would extend Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) to cover individuals caring for sick family members.
The program, if implemented, would be funded 100% through employee contributions. On average, the cost for employees is less than $50 per year. Employers will incur no expenses resulting from the program. If an employee is approved to receive Family Leave Insurance benefits, he or she will receive 2/3 of their pay up to $502 per week in their absence from the workplace. Approval requires documentation from a doctor certifying that a family member is seriously ill.
The New Jersey Legislature is set to deliberate this issue before the close of the current session in early January.
We urge you call the AARP Family and Medical Leave Insurance hotline at (877) 696-2282 to ask your Senator and Assembly Members to support this important legislation.
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