A Feminist Future: Policy and Program Goals for Mothers and Caregivers Economic Rights

An array of social policies could help mothers, fathers, and other caregivers integrate paid work and family life, as well as reduce the occupational penalties and economic risks associated with unpaid carework:

We are working for policies and programs that include, but are not limited to:

CAREGIVER SUPPORTS include benefits and policies intended to improve the economic security and well-being of women and men who devote substantial time to unpaid carework and who may, or may not, also have paid employment. Examples are:

Excellent, affordable childcare and eldercare for everyone who wants and needs it with subsidies from government and employers
Social Security benefits and disability coverage for non-employed caregivers and unemployment benefits for temporary caregiving
Welfare and human needs policies and regulations providing increased and improved support for parental and paid caregiving in at-risk families, and effective programs to help women and families overcome poverty
Refundable tax credits for family caregivers
Universal healthcare for all children and adults
Living and non-discriminatory wages
Safe, affordable housing and accessible public transportation
Top-notch public education, Pre-K through 12, plus continuing education and vocational training for adolescents and adults
Full consideration of the value of the primary caregiver's contribution to a couple's earnings and assets when parents separate or divorce
Guaranteed child support for lone parents
Respite care services for individuals caring for frail, elderly and disabled family members
Adding unpaid carework to national productivity measurements

Worker-and family-friendly WORKPLACE HOURS that would benefit most workers throughout their life course - not just parents and other caregivers - by giving employees more control over their working hours and the right to request flexible hours and work locations. These regulations include:

Elimination of compulsory overtime
Caps on overtime for wage and salaried workers
Guaranteed right of all employees to request reduced and flexible work hours and flexible work locations
Establishment of a minimum number of paid vacation, sick leave or personal days for all workers

Realistic JOB AND ECONOMIC PROTECTIONS that give workers the right to paid time off when they are most likely to need it without jeopardizing their earnings or occupational status. Theses policies would also protect parents and part-time workers from job and pay discrimination.

A minimum of 12 weeks of job-protected paid family and medical leave for all employees who work 20 or more hours a week
A minimum of seven days of paid sick leave for all employees who work 20 or more hours a week, with the guarantee that sick days can be used to care for an ill child
Regulations requiring employers to provide proportionally equal pay, benefits and opportunities for advancement to all employees who work less than full time
Making employment discrimination in hiring, firing, pay, compensation and promotion based on an employee's parental status illegal in all 50 states
Expanding the FMLA offering longer periods of time, covering more workers under more circumstances
Expanding disability and unemployment insurance coverage to more workers, including part-time and non-standard workers