Myth buster alert! A new survey from BLS Research & Consulting indicates a majority of small business owners in Connecticut SUPPORT paid family and medical leave legislation. Support for paid leave increases once small business owners (SBOs) learn more about the proposal and the benefits paid leave has been proven to bring to businesses, such as increased retention, job satisfaction, productivity, and morale.

According to the poll, 77% of Connecticut SBOs favor establishing a paid family and medical leave program. The results of the Connecticut poll demonstrate consistency with a recent poll by the US Council of State Chambers of Commerce, which found that 72% of C-level executives and business owners support increasing parental leave.

Highlights:

    • 95% of CT SBOs believe it is important for people to have time off to care for a new baby, a seriously ill family member, or recover from a personal illness, and 69% feel it is very important.
    • More than 3 in 4 CT SBOs support paid family and medical leave legislation, and nearly half (46%) feel that way strongly. Support holds across the state and among different industries.
    • 79% of Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA) members polled favor establishing PFML.
    • Once SBOs learn more about paid family leave, including how research has demonstrated its benefits for businesses, support climbs to 82%.

The data is clear: paid leave supports working families, improves worker retention and builds a competitive economy. Help make paid leave a reality for small businesses and their employees before the legislative session ends! Click here for more info.