25-Plus Years After Enactment of the FMLA, Will Paid Family Leave Become a Reality?
The United States remains one of three developed countries that does not provide paid family leave for employees, yet the benefit has become a fulcrum for Millennial employees. Millennials, who will represent more than 75 percent of the workforce within the next decade, are faced with the challenges of raising families while also caring for elderly relatives. This session will explore effective practices that employers are currently implementing to address this critical issue as well as examine recent federal proposals to provide more access to paid family leave that meets the needs of the tight labor market for both the employer and employee in a 21st century workplace. Topics to be covered include:
- Recent survey data highlighting effective practices implemented by employers.
- Leading federal proposals to provide paid leave.
- The effects each of these proposals may have on employers and employees.
- Recommendations that meet the needs of the 21st century workplace.
Lisa K. Horn
Adrienne Schweer
A Nebraska native, Schweer first came to Washington, D.C., to work for then-Sen. Chuck Hagel, following many years of working in campaigns, including those of Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE). After her years of service on Capitol Hill, Schweer joined the rock star Bono’s non-profit organization, The ONE Campaign, where she led partnership strategy and advocacy in support of African development, including maternal and child health.
From 2014 to 2017, Schweer served as chief of protocol to Defense Secretaries Chuck Hagel, Ashton Carter, and Jim Mattis in the Pentagon. During her tenure, she proposed and led creative new initiatives to raise the profile and advance the priorities of the Secretary of Defense, including helping roll out a 12-week paid maternity leave policy for the military.
In 2018, she helped BPC stand up the first bipartisan Paid Family Leave Task Force and has been working on bipartisan, bicameral paid family leave policy at the federal level.
She and her husband have three young daughters and a son.