Why D.C.'s Paid Leave Program Is Seeing Rising Demand This Year

Public Policy & Regulation attorney Janene Jackson spoke with the Washington Business Journal about an uptick in demand for Washington, D.C.'s paid family leave program. Three years after its rollout, expanded benefits and increased awareness are likely the cause of a jump in claims, according to the D.C. Department of Employment Services. The District of Columbia also recently reduced the payroll tax rate it was charging businesses to pay for the program, which Ms. Jackson deemed "really, really impactful" for the business community. She added that the expanded benefits — employees can now get up to 12 weeks of parental, medical and family leave — has given D.C. businesses an advantage and put them on equal ground when attracting and retaining talent.

"[Employers] can always give more, but the floor has been set," she said. "...It's no longer a differentiating factor in terms of employment."

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