The Effects of State Paid Sick Leave Mandates on Parental Childcare Time

As more U.S. states adopt paid sick leave (PSL) mandates, new research reveals that these policies are helping parents spend more time caring for their children. Using nearly two decades of time use data, the study finds that after PSL mandates are enacted, parental time spent on direct childcare increases by 5.8%, with the greatest effects seen among mothers of young children. These policies appear to ease the tension between job responsibilities and family care, especially for workers without college degrees. The findings underscore PSL’s role in supporting families and improving work-life balance across socioeconomic groups.