FMLA
Partnership
FMLA
Handbook
| There is clearly disillusionment and cynicism about the ability to make progressive change through the political process, but numerous pieces of legislation exist that prove otherwise. Legislation does indeed address social needs and has continued to work for the advancement of women. In 1993, Congress passed the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) that requires certain employers to adhere to the needs of their workers. This act has proved especially important today when numerous households are headed by a single parent or consist of two wage earners. As more women entered the workforce a greater need for flexibility arose to ensure that children get the care they need. The business world was not ready to make adjustments | 
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| that fit the needs of women and their families. Instead, many corporations and small businesses discriminated against women solely because of their sex and the potential of having children. Women's work was thought to be in the home raising a family, and employers of all professions preserved traditional views about women which prevented them from advancing in many careers. Fortunately, women's rights advocates have fought to break down such stereotypes that justified job discrimination and women have broken down some of the many barriers that keep them from achieving equality. FMLA is a recent and profound piece of legislation that is very important for women and their families as they continue to advance in careers and strive for equal pay. | |
Copyright Molly Egan, Jason Wood; Lehigh University 1999