Onward and Upward documents the growth of paid family and medical leave advocacy and policy wins since the Build Back Better negotiations in 2020. The report argues that paid leave has reached a national tipping point: advocates have secured meaningful victories at the local, state, and federal levels across 42 states and the District of Columbia, even without a permanent national paid leave program.

These wins are evidence that paid leave is politically viable, broadly needed, and increasingly central to economic security, caregiving, public health, and gender and racial equity.

The report also emphasizes that state-level progress remains uneven, leaving many workers dependent on where they live, who they work for, and whether their employer offers benefits. While state campaigns and voluntary programs have expanded access, the report maintains that only a comprehensive federal guarantee can ensure all workers can care for themselves or loved ones without risking their jobs or paychecks. It positions the current moment as a launchpad for a coordinated 50-state strategy and renewed federal action.

>>Read report here