Maternity Symposium Tool Kit (Booklets)

MATERNITY LEAVE SYMPOSIUM: MATERNITY LEAVE SYMPOSIUM: EMPOWERING WOMEN'S HEALTHCARE EMPOWERING WOMEN'S HEALTHCARE ADVOCACY IN CONSTRUCTION ADVOCACY IN CONSTRUCTION

WELCOME

MESSAGE

Welcome to the Maternity Leave Symposium: Empowering Women's Healthcare Advocacy in Construction!

We are thrilled to have you join us in this pivotal event dedicated to advancing women's healthcare advocacy within the construction industry As we gather today, our collective mission is to highlight, discuss, and advocate for improved maternity leave policies and support systems that empower women in our field

The construction industry stands at a crossroads, where the need for inclusivity, equity, and support for women's health rights has never been more critical. This symposium is a testament to our commitment to fostering workplace policy that not only recognizes but actively champions the needs and rights of its women workforce

Inside this toolkit program book, you'll find a wealth of resources, insights, and actionable steps designed to empower each of us to be advocates for change Whether you're an industry veteran, a newcomer, an ally, or an advocate, there's something in here for you From engaging panel discussions to insightful workshops, we aim to equip you with the knowledge and LaToyaFaustin ExecutiveDirector

tools necessary to make a difference

Let's use this opportunity to forge stronger bonds, share our experiences, and lay down the foundational stones for a future where women in construction are fully supported through all stages of life and career. Your presence here today is a powerful step towards that future

Thank you for being a part of this important conversation Let's build a better tomorrow, together.

Warmest welcome,

She Built This City Team

MISSION

SheBuiltThisCity’smissionistoprovideindustrydisruptiveprogrammingthatsparksinterestand buildspathwaystolucrativecareersintheskilled tradesforyouth,women,andmarginalized communities.

VISION

Ourvisionistodismantlebarriersandstigmasin traditionallymale-dominatedindustriesthrough innovative,sustainablepracticesthatprepareus forafutureofjobsthathaveyettobecreated.

MATERNITY LEAVE? WHY

Wedecidedtoadvocateformaternityleaveasa keyissueduetoitscrucialroleinaddressingthe currentlaborshortageintheconstruction industry.Whilemorecompaniesareexpressing opennesstowelcomingwomeninto constructionroles,manylackthenecessary policiestosupportthem.Byadvocatingfor maternityleave,weaimtonotonlyattractmore womentotheindustrybutalsoretainthemby creatingasupportiveandinclusivework environment.Providingmaternityleaveis essentialforensuringthatwomenfeelvalued andsupportedintheircareers,ultimately contributingtoamorediverseand sustainableworkforceintheconstruction industry.

COMPANIES COMPANIES MATERNITY LEAVE BENEFITS FOR

AnestimatedthreeoutoffourNCmothersand halfoffathershavepassedupworkand advancementopportunities,changedjobs,orquit workduetochildcareresponsibilities.

73% 73% 71% 71%

ofworkingNorthCarolinians surveyedsaidtheywouldfeelmorecommittedto theircompaniesiftheyofferedmorefamilyfriendlybenefitslikepaidleave.

ofNCemployerssurveyedbelieve family-friendlypoliciesarebeneficialtotheir companies.Mostemployersreportthatpaid familyandmedicalleavehaseither“apositive effect”or“nonoticeableeffect”onemployee productivity,profitability,turnover,andmorale.

Studiesofpaidfamilyandmedicalleaveprograms inotherstateshavefoundpositivereactionsby mostbusinessowners.Businessesreported positiveorneutralimpactsonprofitability, productivity,employeeturnover,andlaborcosts.

AWARDHONOREES OUR VICKIO’LEARY

VickiO'Leary,theDirectorofDiversityforthe IronworkersInternationalUnion,has profoundlyimpactedtheconstructionindustry throughheradvocacyfordiversity,safety,and creatingharassment-freeworkplaces Her comprehensiveeducation,culminatingina master’sinorganizationalleadership,laidthe groundworkforhertolaunchthe"BeThatOne GuyProgram,"aimedatfosteringrespectful workenvironments Recognizedforherefforts withtheENRAwardofExcellencein2019, O'Learyhasalsochampionedgroundbreaking policychangessuchastheunion'spioneering maternityleavepolicy Thisinitiative,among thefirstinthetrades,supportspregnant workersandnewmothers,ensuringsafety, health,andinclusivity,therebyfillingacrucial gapintheindustry'ssupportsystemfor women ThispolicyunderscoresO'Leary's commitmenttomakingtheconstructionfield moreinclusiveandsupportive

ALMAADAMS

Dr AlmaS Adams,aninfluentialfigureinthe US HouseofRepresentatives,hasa distinguishedrecordofpromotingequitable policies,particularlyineducationand healthcare Aferventadvocateforfamilyfriendlyworkplacepolicies,sheco-founded theBlackMaternalHealthCaucusand championedtheMomnibuspackageto combathealthdisparitiesamongBlack mothers Adamsisalsoastaunchsupporter ofcomprehensivepaidfamilyandmedical leave,recognizingitsimportancefor Americanfamilies'well-beingandeconomic security Herleadershipandlegislativeefforts reflectadeepcommitmenttocreatinga moreinclusiveandsupportivesociety

MeetOurPanelists

MarlainaGuillaume-Moderater

U.S.DepartmentofLabor U.S.DepartmentofLabor

MarlainaGuillaume,actingSoutheastRegional AdministratorfortheU.S.DepartmentofLabor's Women’sBureau,championspolicydevelopment andcommunityengagementtoenhanceworking conditionsforwomeninthesoutheast,focusingon outreach,training,andanti-discriminationeffortsin nontraditionalfields.

Dr.MichelleMeggs

Women+Girls Women+GirlsResearchAlliance-UNCC ResearchAlliance-UNCC

Dr.MichelleMeggs,asExecutiveDirectorofthe Women+GirlsResearchAllianceatUNCCharlotte, advocatesforwomenandgirls'bettermentin Charlottethroughresearch-community partnerships Herscholarlyworkamplifieswomen's andgirls'voicesandsupportslocalleaders,earning hernumerousaccoladesandboardpositions, includingarecentgovernorappointment

KristyLanierTanner KristyLanierTanner TTurnerConstruction urnerConstruction

KristyLanierTannerisaseasonedHR businesspartnerwithover20yearsinthe dynamicconstructionindustrySheexcelsin talentmanagement,employeerelations,and compliance,passionatelydrivingchangeand nurturingworkplacerelationshipstofostera AnaPardo

AnaPardobroughtherblendoforganizingand journalismtotheNCJusticeCenterin2015, spearheadingcampaignsfortheWorkers’Rights Project.Herpre-JusticeCenterworkincludesleading policyandeducationcampaignsonenvironmental andagriculturalissuesatToxicFreeNorthCarolina. AnaholdsaB.S.inBotanyfromNorthCarolinaState University,underscoringherdiverseexpertise. NCJusticeCenter NCJusticeCenter

PARENTALLEAVE” “TWELVE WEEKS

ApostbyCICConstructionGroupnotesthatwomenmakeuponly11%of constructionworkersintheU.S,andhighlightedpaidmaternityleaveasakey strategytorecruitmorewomenintoconstruction.Wehaveseenarmsracesto providethemostrobustpaidparentalleavepolicyincountriesliketheUK, howeverthisissomethingwehaveyettoseeintheU.S.outsideofafew specifictypesofjobsandindustries(liketech),andnonefromlargefirmsinthe buildingtrades.

OnetechexampleisMicrosoft,whoin2018beganrequiringthatcertain contractorsmustofferaminimumof12weekspaidparentalleaveinorderto workwiththem.Thismaysignalanemergingtrend–ascertainstatesand employersimplementpaidleaveprograms,theremayberequirementsfor contractorstohavesimilarpoliciesineffect.Gettingaheadofthecurvecould bevaluableforafirmwhoreliesoncontractsfromgovernmentsandotherlarge companieswhoaremovinginthisdirection.

HEALTHANDWELL-BEING IMPACT OF MATERNITY LEAVE ON EMPLOYEE

Paid leave prevents infant mortality. Paid parental leave is critical 1 in 4 US moms returns to work within 2 weeks

togivingworkerswhoarenewparentstime tohealfromchildbirth,establishbreastfeeding,andbond,strengtheningtherelationship betweenparentandchild Althoughtherearespecialimplicationsforworkingwomen, accesstothisbenefitisimportantforallworkingparentsandcanimprovehealth outcomesforparentsandchildrenaswellasincreaseanemployee’scommitmenttotheir employer.

A2012studyfoundthatnearly ofgivingbirth.Doctorstypicallyrecommendaminimumofsixweeksofrecoveryoreight weeksinthecaseofc-sectionbirths

Paidmaternityleavealsohasnumerouspositiveimpactsonmaternalhealth,acritical concerninNorthCarolinawherematernalmortalityratesdoubledbetween2019and2021

AstudybyDukeUniversityresearchersfoundthataPaidFamilyLeaveInsuranceprogram providing12weeksofleavewouldsaveanestimated26infantlivesperyearinNorth Carolina 13In2020,NorthCarolina’sinfantmortalityratewas69deathsper1,000live births-the8thworstrateinthecountry Infantmortalityratesaredisproportionatelyhigh amongbabiesofcolor–mortalityamongBlackbabies(128per1,000)is167%higherthan theinfantmortalityrateofWhitebabies(4.8).

CREATINGSAFER&MOREINCLUSIVE WORKENVIRONMENTSFOR

WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION

Vicki O’Leary

In2017,theInternationalAssociationofBridge,Structural,Ornamentaland ReinforcingIronWorkersbecamethefirsttradeuniontointroduceapaid leavebenefitforpregnantwomenandnewfollowedayearlaterbythe NorthCentralStatesRegionalCouncilofCarpenters,ajointlabormanagementtradegroup.Bothoftheseprogramsofferupto26weeksof pregnancyleaveforwomenwhocannotcontinuetoworkwhilepregnant formedicalreasons,aswellas6-8weeksofmaternityleaveformembersof theirrespectiveunions.Thebenefitiscappedat$800perweek.

REP.ADAMSREINTRODUCED

THE MOMNIBUS ACT

CongresswomanAlmaAdams,alongsideLaurenUnderwoodandSenator CoryBooker,reintroducedtheMomnibusActtocombattheUnitedStates' risingmaternalmortalityrates,particularlyamongBlackmothers.This comprehensivelegislativepackageaimstoaddressallmajorcausesof maternaldeathbyinvestingover$1billioninhealthcareandsupportfor moms.Endorsedbyover200organizations,theMomnibusseeksto improvesocialdeterminantsofhealth,expandaccesstocare,anddiversify theperinatalworkforce,promisingatransformativeimpactonmaternal healthnationwide.

Rep Alma Adams

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1 HTTPS://WOMENSEQUITYCENTER ORG/WP-CONTENT/UPLOADS/2017/10/PREGNANCY-ANDMATERNITY-IN-THE-TRADES PDF

2 HTTPS://WWW.CONSTRUCTIONDIVE.COM/NEWS/STUDY-FINDS-MATERNITY-BENEFITS-FORCONSTRUCTION-TRADESWOMEN-FINANCIALLY-FEA/567636/

3 HTTPS://WWW.BLS.GOV/CPS/CPSAAT18.HTM

4 HTTPS://WWW CICCONSTRUCTION COM/BLOG/WAYS-TO-INCREASE-THE-NUMBER-OF-WOMENWORKERS-IN-THE-CONSTRUCTION-INDUSTRY/

5 HTTPS://WWW GOV UK/EMPLOYERS-MATERNITY-PAY-LEAVE

6 HTTPS://WWW.THECONSTRUCTIONINDEX.CO.UK/NEWS/VIEW/MCALPINE-TRUMPS-WATES-WITH-SIXMONTHS-PARENTAL-LEAVE

7 HTTPS://WWW.THEGUARDIAN.COM/US-NEWS/2018/AUG/30/MICROSOFT-CONTRACTORS-PAIDPARENTAL-LEAVE

8 HTTPS://WWW.DOL.GOV/SITES/DOLGOV/FILES/OASP/LEGACY/FILES/FMLA-2012-TECHNICALREPORT PDF

9 “NATIONAL COMPENSATION SURVEY: EMPLOYEE BENEFITS IN THE UNITED STATES, MARCH 2022” U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS (2022). VIA “PAID LEAVE MEANS

A STRONGER NORTH CAROLINA”, NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP ON WOMEN AND FAMILIES (2023). ACCESSED AT HTTPS://WWW NATIONALPARTNERSHIP ORG/OURWORK/RESOURCES/ECONOMIC-JUSTICE/PAID-LEAVE/PAID-LEAVE-MEANS-A-STRONGER-NORTHCAROLINA PDF STATE ESTIMATES NOT AVAILABLE; CALCULATION USES ESTIMATES BASED ON CENSUS DIVISION

10 LERNER, SHARON. THE REAL WAR ON FAMILIES: WHY THE US NEEDS PAID LEAVE NOW. IN THESE TIMES, 2015 ACCESSED AT HTTPS://INTHESETIMES.COM/ARTICLE/THE-REAL-WAR-ON-FAMILIES

11 AITKEN, ZOE ET AL “THE MATERNAL HEALTH OUTCOMES OF PAID MATERNITY LEAVE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW” SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE (2015) DOI:: 10 1016/J SOCSCIMED 2015 02 001

12 BONNER, LYNN “NC MATERNAL DEATH RATE EXCEEDS NATIONAL RATE” NC NEWSLINE (2023) ACCESSED AT HTTPS://NCNEWSLINE.COM/BRIEFS/NC-MATERNALDEATH-RATE-EXCEEDS-NATIONAL-RATE/

13 GASSMAN-PINES, ANA, AND ELIZABETH O. ANANAT. “PAID FAMILY LEAVE IN NORTH CAROLINA: AN ANALYSIS OF COSTS AND BENEFITS” CENTER FOR CHILD AND FAMILY POLICY, SANFORD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY AT DUKE UNIVERSITY (2019) ACCESSED AT HTTPS://DUKE APP BOX COM/S/9WTI16BYHDYYZ6K99RI2YIB3TTLPRGL8

14 NC STATE CENTER FOR HEALTH STATISTICS “2020 NORTH CAROLINA INFANT MORTALITY REPORT, TABLE 3 INFANT DEATH RATES (PER 1,000 LIVE BIRTHS) BY RACE/ETHNICITY AND YEAR”. NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (2021) ACCESSED AT

HTTPS://SCHS DPH NCDHHS GOV/DATA/VITAL/IMS/2020/2020-IMR-TABLE3 HTML

15 NATIONAL CENTER FOR HEALTH STATISTICS. “INFANT MORTALITY RATES BY STATE”. CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (2022) ACCESSED AT HTTPS://WWW.CDC.GOV/NCHS/PRESSROOM/SOSMAP/INFANT MORTALITY RATES/INFANT MORTALITY HTM

16 IBID, NC CENTER FOR HEALTH STATISTICS

17 “ACCELERATING CHANGE – BIENNIAL REPORT” FAMILY FORWARD NC (2020) ACCESSED AT

HTTPS://FAMILYFORWARDNC COM/BIENNIAL-REPORT/

18 “NORTH CAROLINA EMPLOYERS AGREE FAMILY-FRIENDLY PRACTICES ARE GOOD FOR BUSINESS.” FAMILY FORWARD NC (2018) ACCESSED AT HTTPS://FILES.FAMILYFORWARDNC.COM/WP-CONTENT/UPLOADS/2018/04/FAMILY-FORWARDRESEARCH-REPORT ONLINE 091218 PDF

19 IBID

20 “THE BUSINESS CASE FOR PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE” A BETTER BALANCE (2022) ACCESSED AT HTTPS://WWW ABETTERBALANCE ORG/RESOURCES/THEBUSINESS-CASE-FOR-PAID-FAMILY-AND-MEDICAL-LEAVE/