Bob Sanders

Under Covid, paid leave becomes a reality in NH

Federal, state programs put focus on long-debated policy

By  Bob Sanders
NH Business Review

iStock-1218992927-1-1024x683.jpg

For Nikki Curran of Windham, it didn’t seem she had much of a choice. Her employer for the last 11 years, Autism Bridges, a private company headquartered in Bedford, had closed its four therapy centers in three states in response to Covid-19.

Instead, the firm sent its staffers into clients’ homes. But Curran was afraid to go. The Windham schools had sent their students home, and Curran’s 12-year-old son has chronic breathing issues, putting him at high risk should he get the virus.

“We are very careful and very scared,” said Curran.

At first, she and her husband — who teaches middle school in Derry and was soon working remotely — juggled their schedule. But on April 1, Autism Bridges gave Curran roughly half-time office work and some telemedicine jobs and provided her with paid family leave for the rest.

Read the full article.

These articles are being shared by partners in The Granite State News Collaborative. For more information visit collaborativenh.org.