The proposal would create a mandatory, statewide paid family and medical leave program requiring all businesses to provide up to 20 weeks of paid leave.  Anyone employed in the Commonwealth would be required to make a payroll contribution to fund the program, which could be adjusted annually by the state Department of Labor & Industry. Employers would also be responsible for 50% of the program's funding, resulting in over $2 billion in additional taxes for the small business community.

Despite continued labor shortages and inflationary challenges, many small business owners provide flexibility for employees to attend to personal needs and family emergencies. A one-size-fits-all government mandate is both financially and administratively burdensome to employers already covering extra shifts as they face difficulty filling unopened positions. A mandate like this could mean closing the doors for businesses who cannot survive the workplace disruptions this would create.

Tell your lawmakers to STOP saddling small businesses with unnecessary burdens like the creation of a 20-week paid family and medical leave program! 

Personalized messages are more effective at getting the attention of lawmakers.

Space is provided for you to personalize your message and tell your story. Share your business type and how a state-mandated paid leave program would affect your business. Consider:

Are you currently struggling with open positions? How would employees on leave exasperate the issue? 
How would you cover employees while they are off? 
How would a state-mandated paid leave program affect the policies you have in place now? 
How would you absorb cost requirements for this fund?