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WORKING MOTHER.COM

30 Years of the 100 Best: Debbie Wasserman Schultz

U.S. Representative for Florida's 23rd congressional district; chair of the Democratic National Committee

As a mother of three who has always worked outside of the home while remaining deeply involved in my kids’ lives—checking homework uploaded to my iPad; serving as my daughters’ Girl Scouts troop leader—I know the challenge of balancing work and family is a very real one. To help women achieve it, employers must offer flexible workplace arrangements.

Flexible family policies recognize the reality of being an American in 2015; they acknowledge that families come in all shapes and sizes, and so do families’ needs. I was lucky enough to be able to hold my children on my lap during meetings, but not every American has that luxury. All employees deserve:

• Paid, job?protected family and medical leave for when they get sick or wish to help care for sick family members •At least 12 weeks of paid, job?protected parental leave after the birth of a child • Flexible and transparent schedules that accommodate the need to balance work and family • Access to affordable, high?quality child care •Equal pay for equal work

No parent should ever have to choose between the health of their child and putting food on the table. There is no silver bullet that will prevent every worker from having to face that choice. But if we enact the policies above, we will ensure our workplaces are fair, family?friendly, and support the economic security of all Americans.

http://www.workingmother.com/30-years-100-best-debbie-wasserman-schultz