As the owner of a small business in Colchester,  I support paid family and medical leave as a critical safety net that will support workers during times of financial insecurity, when their last concern should be missing a paycheck.

I value my employees and I try my best to accommodate any sudden, life-altering circumstance that could harmfully impact their attendance or productivity at work. Every boss wants their employees to be able to give 100 percent to the job at hand, but few understand the barriers that keep working mothers, fathers and caregivers from doing so.

Contrary to the narrative spread by the big business lobby, a new poll shows that 77 percent of small business owners in Connecticut support paid family and medical leave. When respondents learn more about paid leave, including how a range of research has demonstrated its benefits for businesses, support for legislation climbs to 85 percent.

And it’s easy to see why.

My employees are the foundation of my business. They are here day in and day out, helping me to build my dream. In the event of a family or medical emergency, I want to return the favor and support them, but the ongoing costs and expenses of operating a small business often prevent me from doing so to the extent that my employees deserve.