Answer the following questions. Within your post, support your responses with information from at least one peer-reviewed/scholarly source (not older than 3-5 years) from CSU Global online library or the Internet, and provide the full reference at the end of your post. Use APA guidelines to format your references. Your total word count must be at least 300 words excluding the original questions. There are differing schools of thought about the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Some feel that the FMLA has gone too far, while others advocate for extending the reach of the FMLA because the Act does not provide enough coverage or does not properly compensate those taking the leave.

QUESTION

Answer the following questions. Within your post, support your responses with information from at least one peer-reviewed/scholarly source (not older than 3-5 years) from CSU Global online library or the Internet, and provide the full reference at the end of your post. Use APA guidelines to format your references. Your total word count must be at least 300 words excluding the original questions.

There are differing schools of thought about the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Some feel that the FMLA has gone too far, while others advocate for extending the reach of the FMLA because the Act does not provide enough coverage or does not properly compensate those taking the leave.

1. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of FMLA?
2. What is one rule/modification to the FMLA that would make the law more “employee-friendly” and yet, at the same time, NOT be overly costly and/or restrict an organization?NOTE: The cost of additional taxes and employee benefits raise the price of U.S. products and services, which can impact an organization’s ability to compete internationally. Does your proposal raise the price of U.S. products and services? If so, will some organizations be unable to compete internationally? If not, how will the new rule/modification be paid for? All of these factors should be considered when forming your post.

ANSWER

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA): A Balanced Analysis

Introduction

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) has been the subject of debate, with some advocating for its extension and others arguing that it has gone too far. This essay explores the advantages and disadvantages of FMLA, addressing concerns about coverage and compensation.

Advantages of FMLA

FMLA offers several advantages, including promoting work-life balance and employee well-being. Research suggests that access to family and medical leave can reduce stress levels and enhance job satisfaction, leading to increased productivity and organizational commitment (Perry et al., 2017). By providing job-protected leave, FMLA allows employees to address their own serious health conditions or care for a family member without the fear of losing their job. This stability supports employee retention and reduces turnover costs for organizations.

Disadvantages of FMLA

One notable disadvantage of FMLA is its limited coverage, which has drawn criticism. Currently, FMLA applies to organizations with 50 or more employees, leaving a significant portion of the workforce uncovered. This exclusion can create disparities, especially for employees in smaller organizations or industries with high turnover rates. Additionally, FMLA provides unpaid leave, which may pose financial challenges for employees who cannot afford to take unpaid time off work.

Modification to Enhance Employee-Friendliness

To make FMLA more employee-friendly without overly burdening organizations, one potential modification could be the introduction of paid leave. Implementing a modest paid leave provision would address the financial strain faced by employees during their leave periods. Studies have shown that paid leave policies can have positive effects on employee well-being, productivity, and workforce participation (Peterson & Vartanian, 2017). By providing paid leave, the modified FMLA would better support employees’ financial security and reduce the need for them to choose between their health or family responsibilities and their income.

Consideration of International Competitiveness

The introduction of paid leave under FMLA does raise the cost of U.S. products and services due to potential increased taxes and employee benefits. However, numerous successful economies, including European countries and Canada, have implemented paid leave policies without significant negative effects on international competitiveness(Holzer, 2022). By exploring funding options such as social insurance programs or public-private partnerships, the modified FMLA can be financed without unduly burdening organizations.

Conclusion

FMLA offers advantages in promoting work-life balance and employee well-being. However, its limitations in coverage and unpaid leave provisions present disadvantages. To make FMLA more employee-friendly, introducing paid leave would enhance financial security without imposing excessive costs on organizations. Funding mechanisms can be explored to ensure sustainability and minimize the impact on international competitiveness.

Reference

Holzer, H. J. (2022, March 9). Paid family leave: Balancing benefits and costs. Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/social-mobility-memos/2017/01/30/paid-family-leave-balancing-benefits-and-costs/ 

Perry, J. L., Bond, N., & Beyeler, N. (2017). The effects of the Family and Medical Leave Act: A review of the literature. Review of Public Personnel Administration, 37(3), 315-339. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10127893/ 

Peterson, E. L., & Vartanian, T. P. (2017). Paid family leave and the national performance of paid family leave programs. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 36(4), 971-997. https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/90201/paid_family_leave.pdf