FMLA
Storyboard Text
- Slide: 1
- I'll try, Aisha, but I have work, and Grandma needs my help.
- Monique, a single Black mom, is preparing to leave for her job as a customer service representative. The school bus is coming soon to pick up her daughter, Aisha. Monique is also a caretaker for her blind mother-in-law, Mrs. Johnson.
- Slide: 2
- I wish I could take time off, but I can't afford to.
- Monique, can you stay late today and work a couple extra hours? Someone had to leave early.
- Monique is at work that day. Her boss asks her to stay late, and she will, but Monique is thinking about how Mrs. Johnson has been alone for most of the day and likely has not eaten.
- Slide: 3
- The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) sounds good in theory, but it won't pay the bills around here.
- Back at home, Monique just made dinner for Mrs. Johnson and Aisha. She is reading a letter delivered in the mail today from her employer.
- Slide: 4
- Dear Monique,We have reviewed your request for leave under the FMLA and supporting documentation you have provided. This letter is intended solely as notice you are eligible for 12 weeks of unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA). FMLA qualifying reason and your rights and responsibilities while on FMLA leave1. Birth of your child, and to bond with your newborn child (birth parent). 2. Birth of a child (non-birth parent), adoption or placement of a child for foster care in order to bond with the new child. 3. Your own serious health condition. 4. To care for a direct family member with a serious health condition.address a qualifying exigency.
- According to the letter, under FMLA, Monique is eligible for leave. However, this leave is unpaid and only covers certain family members.
- Slide: 5
- Only 34% of Black Americans can afford to take unpaid leave under FMLA. As the sole breadwinner, I can't risk it.
- May
- Later that night, Monique is in the living room looking at all of the upcoming mdecial appointments for Mrs. Johnson, who needs assistance because of her blindness.
- Slide: 6
- How are you holding up, Monique?
- Not well. Mrs. Johnson needs constant care because she is blind, but FMLA doesn't cover in-laws. And even if it did, I can't afford unpaid leave.
- The next day at work, Monique is talking to a co-worker during a break.
- Slide: 7
- 80% of Black mothers are the breadwinners. Each year, 1.1 million Black women need leave but do not take it. We lose $3.9 billion in wages annually because of unpaid and poorly-paid leaves.
- That night, Monique is reading to Aisha while Mrs. Johnson is knitting. She is still concerned.
- Slide: 8
- I'm nervous, Mom. Grandma is getting more sick, and I'm scared.
- I know, honey. I'm also nervous. I need to do something.
- Monique's family feels the impacts of a limited FMLA firsthand. Until changes are made, families like Monique's will continue to struggle.
- Slide: 9
- You should join me today, Sana! I am organizing a community meeting at my house with other working parents in the neighborhood to advocate for paid FMLA leave.
- I'll be there!
- Monique understands her own agency to build collective power. That gives her hope for the future.
- Slide: 10
- FIGHT FOR PAID FAMILY LEAVE
- Monique and some other community members are meeting to figure out how they can approach their alderman about implementing paid family leave in their community. Hopefully, their advocacy will take them to the national level as well.
- Slide: 0
- Mom, will you be able to come to my school play today?
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