Getting siblings covered for family leave?

A Chester County woman says families are more complex than in the past and taking time off to care for a sick sister or brother should be covered too.

A Chester County woman says the concept of immediate family has expanded, and she says Pennsylvania’s family leave law should expand too.

Anne Marie Pearson had to quit her job when her sister became ill with cancer and needed constant care.

She says Pennsylvania law follows the federal Family and Medical Leave rules on unpaid time away from work.

Pearson: You can take protected leave from your job to take care of a sick parent, spouse or child. That’s been my goal lately to try and expand that definition of who we may take leave for, today’s family unit is no longer the traditonal mom, dad and kids anymore.

A state panel is considering the proposal to let workers take unpaid time off to care for a sick sibling.

Pennsylvania’s small business lobby opposes the bill.

The state director for the National Federation of Independent Business
says a new family leave mandate could take away business owner’s flexiblity to respond to workers’ needs, and hurt company productivity.

Pearson: We have scores of people who support it and say: Thank goodness you’re doing this because I have no parents, I have no spouse, who’s going to take care of me? You know?