A bill introduced Wednesday would repeal limits on Family and Medical Leave Act protections for married couples working for the same employer — a restriction that one of the bill’s co-sponsors dubbed “outdated.”
The law provides many workers 12 weeks of job protection in a 12-month period for family and medical reasons. It also provides 26 weeks for military families to care for servicemembers.
Spouses working for the same employer, however, have long been limited to a combined 12 weeks if leave is taken for the birth of a child; placement of a child with the employee for adoption or foster care; or care for a parent with a serious health condition.
H.R. 3404, which has bipartisan co-sponsors, would repeal that section of the law.
“Just because a family works for the same employer doesn’t mean they should get less time off than other families,” said Rep. Sarah McBride, D-Del., in a statement.
The FMLA should not penalize married couples working for the same employer simply because of their relationship, said Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., adding that the law doesn’t reflect the needs of today’s working families.
Similar bills have been introduced before, without success.
