Employers Think Pink: Paid Time Off for Mammograms Could Save Lives

Employers across the country are being asked to consider a simple but potentially lifesaving policy: providing paid time off for employees to receive annual mammograms. The initiative, called Employers Think Pink, was created by the law firm Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., after a longtime case manager, Annette, was diagnosed with Stage 2B breast cancer in 2009. Annette had delayed her annual mammogram for several months due to a busy schedule. She eventually found a lump while showering and made an appointment with her doctor. If she had kept her original mammogram appointment, her cancer may have been detected at Stage 1 instead of advancing to Stage 2B. After surgery and chemotherapy, Annette was declared cancer-free, but her experience left the firm with a lasting belief: no one should have to choose between protecting their health and losing income.

The program calls on businesses of all sizes to provide employees with paid time off for the hours required to receive their annual mammograms. Garry R. Salomon, Esq., Founding Partner of Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., stated, "There is nothing more important than saving lives. Paid time off for breast cancer screening is a perk every caring employer can do to protect their staff and their families from this horrible disease." The importance of early detection is underscored by American Cancer Society estimates that about 321,910 women in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2026 and 42,140 women will die from the disease. Mammograms can often find breast cancer before symptoms develop, and cancers found earlier are more likely to be treated successfully.

Employers Think Pink offers a straightforward way for companies to support early detection by making room for mammograms during the workday. Businesses can join the initiative by adding their company name as an employer that thinks pink at www.employersthinkpink.com. The campaign also encourages individuals to urge their friends' and families' employers to participate. The larger the number of employers thinking pink, the more lives will be saved. For further information and an "Employer's Think Pink" press release kit, contact Elizabeth Sheldon at (201) 907-5000 or Elizabeth.sheldon@dsslaw.com.

This initiative matters beyond New Jersey. As businesses in Texas and across the nation grapple with workforce health and retention, policies like paid time off for preventive care can serve as a low-cost, high-impact benefit. By removing barriers to screening, employers can demonstrate that they value their employees' well-being, potentially leading to earlier diagnoses, better health outcomes, and a more productive workforce. The program also aligns with broader trends in corporate social responsibility, where companies are increasingly expected to support employee health beyond the workplace. While the source content does not specify any Texas-based companies participating, the national call to action suggests that Texas employers have an opportunity to lead by example. Adopting such policies could reduce the financial and emotional burden on employees and their families, ultimately saving lives and strengthening communities. As Salomon emphasized, the goal is to prove that taking care of one's health should never have to compete with one's job.