• Educate and inform policymakers and other decision-makers about policies that help workers balance work and family responsibilities.
• Organize and mobilize labor unions, advocates and community groups to influence change and support legislation that protects working families.
• Raise awareness about work family issues in our communities through strategic public education and outreach efforts.

Coalition Priority Policy Areas for 2009-2011:

• Paid Sick Days: Millions of Californians—over 40% of all workers in the state—can not take time off when they or someone in their family is ill, negatively impacting family and community health. Across demographic, economic, ethnic and party lines, three in four Californians support a law to guarantee workers paid sick days. The Coalition supports guaranteeing the right of all California workers to earn paid sick days to care for themselves or a sick family member so that no one will be forced to work sick because of fear of reprisal, losing their job, or losing pay.
• Expansion of Paid and Unpaid Family Leave:  Many California workers can not take time off to care for their sick or disabled family members without losing pay or risking job loss. Studies show that over half of employed Californians expect they will need to take a family or medical leave from work in the next five years. The Coalition supports expanding and strengthening paid and unpaid family leave laws to allow more workers the opportunity to care for loved ones without jeopardizing their financial security.
• Employer Discrimination based on Family Caregiving Responsibilities:  Although the vast majority of workers are responsible for the care of a family member, employers continue to make unfair employment decisions against workers because of their family responsibilities. Research shows that mothers are often paid less and are less likely to be hired than non-mothers with the same qualifications. Male employees are often penalized at work when they take an active role in caring for their children or sick family members. The Coalition supports expanding protection from workplace discrimination because of familial status or family responsibilities.