September 23, 2020
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Helping Parents During the Pandemic

Parents’ predicaments has been a theme we’ve returned to again and again here at the Berke-Weiss Law Blog since the start of March, though our concern over working parents’, and especially mothers’, rights reaches back much longer than six months. We’ve highlighted pertinent research, journalism, controversy, and statistics about the myriad ways parents have been affected by lockdowns and changes in working practices and laws, like the FFCRA, over the course of the year. 

But whatever long-term changes may be in store for the state of parenting, childcare, and elderly care in the years to come, it is undeniable that many parents are suffering right now, and you may be asking yourself, What can I do to help? while schools remain remote and parents lose income. Over the weekend, the New York Times provided some suggestions for things you can do that can make an impact immediate.

Because of lost income and layoffs, food insecurity has been one of the biggest concerns for  parents. According to the article, “more than 50 million people with children under 18 at home say their household has lost income since March 13” and almost one in every eight households in the U.S. don’t have enough to eat. Other major issues include lack of supplies for infants and housing insecurity, including utilities.

We encourage you to look through this article, but don’t limit yourself to it. There are many ways for you to get involved with helping others in your community. It could be volunteering to set up or supervise a pod with other parents, helping at a food bank, or ensuring that local leaders maintain eviction moratoriums that allow people to remain in their homes.

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FFCRA Complaints for the Week of October 9: Child Care Leave Remains a Hot Button Issue

October 21, 2020
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As experts suspected, the fall and colder weather has meant more people indoors, which has led to significant new outbreaks, especially across the US and Europe. Employers have not been as forgiving with parents who are requesting or taking leave granted to them under the FFCRA to deal with child care needs.

Princeton to Settle in Gender Pay Inequity Case

October 13, 2020
Gender Discrimination
Officials at Princeton University have agreed to settle a case regarding pay inequities for 106 full current and former female professors as part of the conclusion of a nearly decade long federal investigation into pay disparities at the university.

Employers Can Create the Future We Deserve, or Exacerbate Discrimination Against Parents - Especially Women

October 6, 2020
Gender Discrimination
Paid Family Leave
More than 865,000 women “left” the labor market in September 2020, demonstrating that the COVID pandemic is forcing women out of work. One in four women who are still in the workforce are considering downshifting their careers, or leaving the workforce entirely, due to the pressures of work and family care.Employers who are concerned about retaining their employees who are parents, especially mothers, can take some steps to ensure that parents are not forced to “choose” their families over their careers.

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