Protect Parental Leaves for Teachers

Written By Evolve California

In 2018, a new teacher in Pleasanton signed up for low-cost disability insurance, anticipating future children. Five years later, during her first pregnancy, she learned her maternity leave benefits were inadequate. She had to use all her sick leave and then receive reduced pay due to substitute teacher costs, resulting in a $9,000 loss. Returning to work early for financial reasons, she struggled with inadequate breastfeeding conditions, impacting her health and her students' learning. This revealed to her that California's supportive parental leave laws do not extend to public employees, including teachers, disproportionately affecting female educators and their long-term benefits.

Absolutely enraging! The people we expect to raise and take care of our kids don't even have the rights to take care of their own kids?? California, tell your representatives to pass #AB2901! Our teachers more than deserve the same rights as every other Californian. This lack of protection for teachers, particularly female educators, harms not only them but also their students and the overall education system. Past efforts to address this issue have failed, but AB2901, which recently passed the Assembly and is supported by the California Teachers Association and state Superintendent Tony Thurmond, offers hope. This bill would provide 14 weeks of paid parental leave to public school and community college employees, addressing the current inequity and helping to mitigate the teacher shortage by making the profession more attractive and sustainable. California has the chance to uphold its reputation as a leader in paid family leave by passing this vital legislation.

Photographer: Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

Evolve California
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