The American College of Radiology (ACR) recently passed a resolution recommending that physicians be provided with 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave in a 12-month period as needed.
The ACR said the resolution was directed at all practices, departments, and training programs for diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology, radiation oncology, and nuclear medicine.
The college called for the support of radiologists who experience serious medical conditions or childbirth and described it as a "critical component" of maintaining a radiologist's health and wellbeing. The federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993 requires private employers with 50 or more employees within 75 miles of an employee's worksite and all public agencies to provide up to 12 work weeks of unpaid leave in a 12-month period for childbirth and care, or an immediate family member with a serious health condition.
The resolution states that the business case for this support is "compelling" and that rewards outweigh the costs. These rewards include improved employee retention, better talent attraction, reinforced values, and improved engagement and morale, among others the college listed.
The ACR also said there are ways to reduce the cost of paid leave, such as some states offering a paid leave program to offset costs to practices. It also said short-term disability insurance and practices creating an annually funded account for family and medical leave circumstances can help.
