Funded on September 1, 2022

This study will explore the relationship between the availability and use of paid sick leave on job retention, household finances, and health while understanding the family health impacts of policies that improve workers’ ability to provide parental and family care. It will specifically focus on the impact and challenges of DC’s Paid Family Leave law, passed in 2020 and expanded in 2022.

Related Evidence

  • Published March 27, 2025

    IWPR’s latest report examines the impact of the District of Columbia’s Paid Family Leave program by analyzing qualitative data from interviews with DC residents who used the benefit. Their experiences reveal how access to paid leave influences financial, physical, and mental well-being—especially for new parents and caregivers navigating significant life events.

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  • Published April 9, 2024

    This policy brief by the Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR) advocates for a comprehensive federal paid leave program, highlighting its necessity due to the uneven implementation of paid leave laws across states.

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