Plot Summary

What do the United States and Papua New Guinea have in common? They're the only countries in the world without paid family leave. Most Americans agree that family comes first, but in the richest country in the world, having a baby, a medical emergency, or an aging parent can trigger a descent into poverty. No matter where you work or what zip code you live in, you should be able to welcome a new child, care for an aging parent, or tend to a cancer diagnosis without facing financial disaster. But because 78% of Americans say they live paycheck-to-paycheck, families are often forced to choose between taking time off to care for a loved one or to continue work to keep their job and health care. Nearly 1 in 4 mothers return to work within 10 days of having a baby and 2/3 of the current workforce are providing care for aging parents. Weaving powerful stories together with insightful interviews with leading policymakers, economists, researchers, and activists, "Zero Weeks" explores America's paid-leave crisis and the cost of doing nothing. "Zero Weeks" is the fourth documentary by award-winning director Ky Dickens, a female director with a track record for creating poignant work known for shifting policy and public opinion. She was inspired to make this film after facing financial depletion and emotional turmoil for "not enough time," due to a lack of paid leave, after the birth of her first child.