Anchor Helps Pass New Law

As you know, often when you lose a family member, the station gives you a few days  bereavement leave and then it's back to work. 

But, thanks to a Rochester News Anchor, a new law in New York will give employees who lose a family member such as a child, parent, spouse, or domestic partner, will be eligible to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave from their job.

Jennifer Johnson, an Anchor/Reporter at WHAM advocated for the new law.

She said she experienced crushing grief when her daughter, Grace, died five years ago.

"I know if my own personal situation, I lost a lot of weight after my daughter died, in part, because I forgot to eat,” she said. “Your mind just does not function the same after such a traumatic loss. To be ordered back to work doesn't seem right."

Johnson said there were negotiations with groups representing small businesses that are more likely to feel the temporary loss of an employee. They settled on 12 weeks of paid leave if a worker's spouse, domestic partner, parent, or child dies.

"And it can be right away...you can do it a few days here, a few days there. What doctors and therapists will tell you after you have suffered a great loss is to make sure you're journaling and doing yoga and maybe you're seeing a therapist. Often, if you're a working parent, there isn't enough time in the day to do that."

The law goes into effect in 2020.

H/T WXXI

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