Magaziner, Budzinski, Casar, and Crockett Reintroduce Bill to Guarantee Paid Time Off for American Workers

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Greg Casar (TX-35), and Jasmine Crockett (TX-30) reintroduced the Protected Time Off (PTO) Act, legislation to guarantee at least 10 paid vacation days for all full-time American workers.

More than 27 million private-sector workers in the United States—over one in five—receive no paid vacation at all. Magaziner and his colleagues introduced the PTO Act to address this disparity by:

• Providing employees who work full time with a minimum of 80 hours (two weeks) of paid annual leave per year, usable for any reason and paid at their regular wage.
• This leave will be in addition to any paid sick leave or family and medical leave already guaranteed by law.
• Protecting Employees against discrimination for exercising their right to take annual paid time off.

“Workers in the United States are the most productive in the world. The American people work hard, and deserve to take a break,” said Magaziner. “The PTO Act delivers basic basic fairness and dignity to workers by guaranteeing every full-time worker in this country at least two weeks of paid leave to spend time with family, handle life’s responsibilities, or simply take a well-earned vacation.”

"No one should have to choose between financial security or taking time off to visit family or see a doctor. Paid time off should be a given for all working people, not a perk for some,” said Budzinski. “The labor movement has fought for decades for issues like this and around improving benefits for working people across America. The PTO Act builds on that ideal by giving every full-time worker 10 days of annual paid leave, ensuring that hard work really does pay off.”

"While corporations and billionaires have gotten richer, far too many working Americans still do not have the right to take a few days off to rest, take care of themselves, and spend time with friends and family. It's time for that to change,” said Casar. 

“In the richest country in the world, no one should have to choose between a paycheck and their peace of mind. But for millions of working people, especially hourly workers and low-wage earners, taking a day off to care for their health or their family often means risking their income. That’s unacceptable,” said Crockett. “The PTO Act sets a national standard that gives every worker the time they need to rest, recover, and care for their families without putting their livelihoods on the line.”

The United States is the only advanced economy nation in the world that doesn’t guarantee any paid vacation for workers. By contrast, the European Union guarantees workers at least 20 paid vacation days per year, with some countries mandating as many as 25 or 30 annual days off. The lack of guaranteed time off in the United States perpetuates societal inequalities, as women and of color are the least likely to be allowed paid time off.

The PTO Act is also endorsed by: AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), National Education Association (NEA), SMART (International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers), UNITE HERE, Center for Law and Social Policy, Economic Opportunity Institute, Economic Policy Institute, Family Values @ Work, National Employment Law Project, National Partnership for Women and Families, National Women’s Law Center, Paid Leave for All, UnidosUS, and ZERO TO THREE.

Full text of the PTO Act can be found here.

"At a time when workers' rights and protections are under constant assault, this bill subscribes to a different vision: one where people who work for a living are treated with dignity and respect with the simple notion that a full-time worker deserves some paid time off," said Jody Calemine, AFL-CIO Director of Advocacy.

“Time off for rest when it’s needed is essential for workers and good for business, yet millions of workers, and disproportionately women of color, do not have access to this basic benefit,” said Jocelyn C. Frye, president of the National Partnership for Women & Families. “The Protected Time Off (PTO) Act recognizes that when workers show up for work feeling their best mentally and physically, it’s good for everyone, strengthening families and communities. It’s long past time that all workers enjoy the ability to take a break so they can be the best versions of themselves when they show up at work each day. The PTO Act would be a major step forward and, along with other family-friendly policies, provide the comprehensive support that working people and their families need.”