A Better Balance

10/06/2026

When employers improperly classify workers as “independent contractors,” it costs some working women up to $10,058 in annual earnings.

A new report from NELP and The 75 Million highlights how misclassification is disproportionately harming women (especially immigrant women) by short-changing them and depriving them of essential benefits.

When workers are improperly labeled as independent contractors, they miss out on many key protections, leading to significant real costs to workers.

09/30/2026

Farra, a mom from Colorado had to log onto work from the NICU as she stayed by her daughter's side, recovered from an emergency C-section, AND prepared for another major surgery. NICU parents like her deserve better – but without job-protected leave to be present, too many are faced with impossible choices.

"My husband and I were barely surviving during this time, and under a lot of stress, especially with him unable to take work off," she writes in a new blog post.

Read her story and learn more about why she's speaking out to call for change:

"My husband and I were barely surviving during this time, and under a lot of stress, especially with him unable to take work off," writes Farra, whose daughter, Olivia, was born via emergency C-section and needed to spend time in the NICU.

09/25/2026

Take Me Home, a powerful new film about caregiving, is now screening in New York City and in select additional theatres in cities across the country through October!

Written and directed by Liz Sargent, Take Me Home follows two adopted Korean-American sisters navigating a complex web of caregiving needs in the aftermath of a Florida storm that upends the delicate balance of their family. The film is rooted in Liz’s real-life story, and stars Anna Sargent, Liz’s sister, who has a cognitive disability.

Don't miss the chance to watch this film and join in important discussions around care and family:

Wed, Sep 23: 6:50 show introduced by recording artist Lachi, plus Q&A with writer/director Liz Sargent & actors Ali Ahn, Victor Slezak & Marceline Hugot! Thu, Sep 24: Q&A with writer/director Liz Sargent moderated by CNN/NBC/MSN NOW anchor Richard Lui, hosted by Disability Belongs after 4:25 show! T...

09/21/2026

Pregnant and postpartum workers: you have rights. We spoke to the Associated Press about the federal laws moms and moms-to-be should know about to stay healthy while working.

The article also shares the story of Heydi, a woman who called our free helpline because she was having difficulty pumping on the job while working as an EMT. Our helpline team helped her assert her rights under the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act and find a solution that worked for her job's unique needs.

Every day, women like Heydi call us because they need simple adjustments in order to keep working their jobs while pregnant or postpartum. Laws like the PWFA and PUMP Act can make all the difference for them and their families, and we're committed to defending this progress and equipping workers with the information they need to exercise their rights.

Pregnancy and new parenthood can raise complicated issues for women in the workplace. They often worry about how hiring managers or their existing employers will view them if they reveal they are expecting a child.

09/16/2026

Happy National Working Parents Day! We're committed to making sure parents and caregivers can be there for their kids when it matters most, without risking their jobs.

Protections like paid sick time, paid leave, and flexibility can make the difference between working parents being able to keep their jobs and paychecks, or being pushed out of the workforce entirely. We're fighting to extend these rights to parents nationwide, so that nobody is forced to choose between providing for their families and being present when their loved ones need them.

Knowledge is power – learn about your rights in the workplace:

Knowledge is power. You shouldn't have to choose between caring for your health and your loved ones, or your paycheck—there are laws that can help.

09/14/2026

One interesting finding from Oxfam's 2026 Best States to Work Index? Virginia jumped up several places in the ranking this year after passing statewide rights to paid sick time and paid family & medical leave.

These protections are critical investments in the workforce, and can help make states better places to live, work, and start families. Elected officials should look to states like Virginia as examples.

Check out the full index of states:

Oxfam's Best States to Work index reveals where working families have opportunities to thrive. Where does your state rank?

09/09/2026

The next front in the fight for the rights of American women is happening in low-wage workplaces, argues A Better Balance President Inimai Chettiar in a new op-ed for The Hill.

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act leveled the playing field for women across industries by granting pregnant and postpartum workers nationwide the right to accommodations to stay safe and healthy at work – protections that helped decrease the national miscarriage rate by nearly 10%, all while keeping women attached to their paychecks.

But the Trump Administration intends to re-open the regulations to this law, potentially rolling back these hard-won civil rights.

Women like our clients, moms who were denied accommodations while pregnant and working for major corporations like Amazon and Speedway, depend on federal oversight to enforce their rights under the law.

Tampering with the PWFA risks creating a reality where women can legally lose their jobs just for getting pregnant. We can't roll back the clock on women's rights – everyone should be paying attention right now.

Policy decisions that deeply affect millions of working women will be finalized this November.

09/08/2026

Our nationwide class action lawsuit against Amazon claims abusive treatment of pregnant warehouse workers. Our clients are seeking justice and policy changes at the corporate giant, as highlighted by Madeline Mitchell in USA Today.

Giant corporations like Amazon are not above the law and can no longer get away with systemically violating the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act in the dark.

So proud of our clients Jennifer, Willamina, Kristina, and Dazaria for fighting back and no other pregnant workers are punished and forced off the job for requesting basic accommodations for their health.

Read the full article here:

A class action lawsuit filed against Amazon alleges the company failed to make basic workplace accommodations for thousands pregnant employees.

09/04/2026

We are devastated by the loss of Gloria Steinem, a tireless advocate for women.

Our country is a more equitable place because of her voice and leadership, and we have an obligation to continue building upon her life's work and defending women's hard-won rights.

09/01/2026

September is NICU Awareness Month. Families with babies in the NICU face unique challenges during this stressful time. The last thing on their minds should be whether they'll have a job to return to once their baby is discharged and they're able to go back to work.

NICU leave is a common-sense solution to support NICU families by protecting their economic security and access to health insurance. We're fighting to make expanded job-protected NICU leave under the FMLA a right for families nationwide.

Learn more:

For parents of babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), being present during this difficult and stressful time should be their number one priority –