SHRM Member Testifies on Behalf of SHRM Before House Subcommittee on Paid Leave

SHRM Member Greta Kessler, Vice President of Employee Health and Benefits at Marsh McLennan Agency, testified before the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections during a hearing titled “Balancing Careers and Care: Examining Innovative Approaches to Paid Leave.” Representing SHRM, Kessler delivered both oral and written testimony grounded in SHRM’s latest workforce and benefits research.

Opening her remarks, Kessler thanked Chairman Mackenzie, Ranking Member Omar, and members of the Subcommittee, emphasizing that paid leave is no longer a discretionary benefit but a core workforce strategy.

Paid Leave as a Workforce Imperative

Drawing on SHRM’s 2025 Employee Benefits Survey, Kessler highlighted that 81 percent of employers rate leave as “very” or “extremely” important, second only to health benefits. She also underscored ongoing talent shortages, noting that nearly seven in ten organizations reported difficulty recruiting full-time roles in 2025.

In her written testimony, Kessler further detailed how paid leave offerings vary significantly by employer size. For example, paid parental leave is offered by 35 percent of small employers compared to 66 percent of extra-large employers, reinforcing disparities in access depending on where employees work.

She also addressed demographic pressures shaping leave policy, including an aging workforce and the rise in caregiving responsibilities. SHRM research shows that 80 percent of working caregivers expect their responsibilities to continue long term, underscoring the need for sustainable leave infrastructure.

Addressing the Patchwork Problem

A central theme of Kessler’s testimony was the growing complexity employers face navigating state-level paid family and medical leave programs. Currently, 13 states plus Washington, D.C., operate mandatory programs, each with distinct eligibility rules and benefit structures.

Kessler explained that this patchwork creates administrative burdens, particularly for multistate employers, and complicates coordination with federal laws such as the FMLA and ADA.

To address these challenges, she highlighted bipartisan legislation such as the Interstate Paid Leave Action Network Act, which seeks to harmonize state systems while preserving flexibility.

SHRM’s Commitment to Practical Solutions

Throughout her testimony, Kessler emphasized the importance of public private collaboration. She urged lawmakers to engage HR professionals and business leaders who are responsible for administering leave policies in real time.

Closing her remarks, she reiterated that paid leave supports employee well-being, workforce participation, and organizational stability, but employers cannot shoulder the responsibility alone.

SHRM stands ready to provide research, technical expertise, and on-the-ground insights to help Congress develop a clear, consistent, and sustainable national framework that works for employees and employers alike.