California Labor Law on Family Leave Receives High Marks in Study

Los Angeles, CA According to a recent study, a California labor law concerning family leave has not hurt businesses very much, while a number of families have been able to improve their working lives, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The study was conducted by Eileen Applebaum, senior economist at the Center for Economic Policy and Research in Washington, and Ruth Milkman, a professor of sociology at UCLA and City University of New York.

The researchers said that as a result of the new law, workers taking family leave are enjoying their jobs more.

"All the fears that this program would be disruptive to business were not well founded," Milkman said.

Implemented in 2004, the Paid Family Leave Act provides eligible employees with up to 55 percent of their typical earnings for up to six weeks, according to the news provider. According to the Employment Development Department, 167,523 people in California took time off for "bonding" with their child during the last fiscal year. Additionally, 23,220 workers took some time off to care for family members who were ill, the news source said.

The workers, on average, received $488 per week.

According to the Employment Development Department's Web site, employees who are covered by State Disability Insurance are also covered by Paid Family Leave insurance.