To the Editor:
“Leaps in Leave, if Only Parents Would Take It” (front page, Sept. 2) reports that many employees do not use all of their paid family leave because of pressure to work or advance one’s career. That pressure could also be called caring about one’s work community.
After all, when one person takes off, many others at work are affected. Others—many of whom also have families—must pick up for the absent employee.
There is also concern about the product or service that we are supplying. When someone takes off, our customers are affected. For example, if your doctor takes several months’ leave, that can make it difficult for you as a patient.
Our families are incredibly important. Still, they are only one aspect of our lives.
Of course, leave is something everyone needs to take. However, leave should not be viewed as simply the employee versus the company. Rather, it is about employees acting within their work community and the community of those who are being served.
FRAYDA LEVIN
Mountain Lakes, N.J.
The writer is the former owner of a small business.
