Family Leave Expands in California

PROGRESS ON THE FAMILY LEAVE FRONT:

Starting in January 2021, families in California may breathe a little easier, reports Politico. That's when California Senate Bill 1383 goes into effect.

SB 1383 extends job-protected (unpaid) leave to businesses with five or more employees and expands the definition of qualifying family members to include siblings, grandparents and grandchildren. 

“Californians deserve to be able to take time off to care for themselves or a sick family member without fearing they’ll lose their job,” says Governor Gavin Newsom. “The COVID-19 pandemic has only further revealed the need for a family leave policy that truly serves families and workers, especially those who keep our economy running."

Next step: paid family leave.

TWO more weeks for Paid Family Leave starting July 1st

ATTN Californians:

Paid Family Leave 

is extending by TWO WEEKS

starting July 1, 2020!

Parents and caregivers may take up to eight weeks of partially paid leave to bond with a new baby, adopted or fostered child, or to care for a seriously ill relative or domestic partner of any age. 

Looks like we're taking baby steps (pun intended) toward better supporting our working families. Find more information for parents and caregivers here!

For a quick confirmation that you're contributing to California State Disability Insurance, check your paystub for the CASDI contribution. If you're self-employed and are not contributing to CASDI, you may consider contributing to Disability Insurance Elective Coverage (DIEC). Find more information here.

Resources: Coronavirus

Coronavirus 2020

As coronavirus becomes a global concern, many Animation Guild members are shifting to remote work, events are being postponed, schools are closing, and we're all attempting to adjust to our new normal. It's not surprising that many of us feel anxious about what's to come. In uncertain times like these, common sense approaches can lessen the impact of current events, and having an awareness of your health and financial situation can ease the burden of whatever future hurdles may present themselves. In support of our members, families, and community, the FAM Committee has organized a collection of links to helpful resources.

Check out these helpful resources:

Click here to read about keeping homes, schools, and businesses safe;

Click here to read 10 coronavirus Q & A's for parents;

Click here to read California's guidelines for seniors;

Click here for the CDC's COVID-19 resources and information page;

Click here for IATSE's coronavirus update portal (including national health plan testing waivers);

Click here to access The Animation Guild's COVID-19 Resource Page;

Click here for California state unemployment insurance;

Click here for California state disability insurance (if you're unable to work due to COVID-19 exposure);

Click here for California state family leave (if you're caring for someone with COVID-19);

Click here to check on your benefits and hours for MPIPHP (Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plans);

Click here for discounts through Union Plus, and financial assistance for credit holders;

Click here for emergency assistance through the Actor's Fund;

Click here for counseling and assistance with a wide variety of topics through OPTUM (access code: mpiphp).


Stay in touch: To connect with other families and share tips on educating/entertaining kids at home, join our closed Facebook group: Animation Parents of LA. Some Guild committees will be organizing virtual meetings during the quarantine. To keep up on the latest news, sign up for the TAG email list, join TAG's various social media groups, and follow this blog. To reach the FAM Committee leadership directly, email animationisfamily@gmail.com. For general assistance, please contact the Guild office. 

And finally, try to find the fun in every situation: Did you wash your hands today? Give yourself a sticker! We love these super cute Coronavirus Reward Stickers by artist Gemma Correll. (Shared with permission - thanks Gemma!)

Stay well, friends!
-Your FAM Committee

New California Bill Supports Mothers of All Races

This week we highlight California

for a New Bill

to Save Mothers from Bias-Related Deaths

It's scary to become a mom in the U.S. We have the highest maternity mortality rate among all developed countries. And black mothers are three to four times more likely to perish here than their white counterparts. Bias, it seems, is literally killing our nation's mothers. 

This week, California took a step toward saving these precious lives. Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill No. 464, requiring "implicit bias training for all health care providers working in perinatal services."

Finally. This is what progress looks like.

For more information on SB 464, and your rights provided in the California Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act, visit the California Legislature website.

#SB464

California's New Governor Prioritizes Family Leave

Governor Newsom has just proposed the longest family leave in the nation.

And, it's about time! 

Equality
Not only does Governor Newsom's proposal expand existing leave for dads, it also incorporates benefits for non-traditional families. Under this plan, each parent/caregiver would be entitled to three months of paid leave, for a combined total of six months. This is an improvement of current policy, which restricts the majority of leave - and childcare responsibilities - to birth moms. When men [and secondary parents] also have - and take - family leave, gender equality grows both at home and in the workplace. This is good news for children, parents, and employers alike.

Health
Public health and economic research shows that providing up to six months of paid parental leave—the norm in most developed countries—leads to positive health and educational outcomes for children, [and] greater economic security for parents...reports Newsweek. Countries incorporating longer leave policies have already shown they are paying dividends far into the future.

Support
While California's current Paid Family Leave benefits are employee-funded, many employers are already pitching in additional resources - and Americans support that. Approximately 80% of Democrats AND Republicans are already in favor of employer-funded paid leave. Working Mother's 2018 list of the 100 Best Companies shows what's possible: an average of 11 fully paid parental leave weeks, back-up childcare, flexible work arrangements, and fertility/surrogacy support.

Happiness
Expanding paid leave should bring a smile to everyone's face. After studying happiness levels in 22 countries, sociologists found the biggest happiness predictor to be the presence of family policies making it less stressful and less costly [to] combine childrearing with paid work. And such policies seemed to increase the happiness level of childless individuals as well.

Family Leave is a win for everyone.

Tell Governor Newsom you support his proposal.

For more stats in support of family leave, check out this presentation created by TAG's own Family Leave Subcommittee.

#newsom #familyleave #california #animationisfamily