Paid family leave leads to happier employees and a healthier bottom line, according to a new study out of Rutgers University.

Some small businesses, however, said a national standard for paid leave would be too costly.

According to the study, women who are not given paid leave following childbirth are more likely to disconnect from the work force.

The study, done by the Center for Women and Work, said women who don't get paid leave are also more likely to draw government assistance.

"There are implications for this disconnection in terms of their own wages, as well as for their employers' bottom line in terms of replacement costs," said Linda Houser with the Center for Women and Work.

The study calls for a national standard for paid leave.

New Jersey already has a paid leave law on the books for larger employers, but some said a national standard would not work for small businesses.

"If that were imposed on a business with 10 or fewer employees, it can become particularly onerous because you have two choices. You either bring in someone temporarily or you force everybody else to simply pick up in the workforce," said Michael Down, Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Dowd said paying leave is not an option for some businesses in today's economy.

Frank Geraghty, president of Graphic Action in Phillipsburg, said it would be extremely costly to lose one of his employees for an extended period of time.

He said he works with them when they need leave and thinks a national standard is too much, and in some cases, more than is necessary.

"I think if it's a mandatory six weeks everyone would take the six weeks," said Geraghty.

Right now, only a handful of states have paid leave laws.

The Center for Women and Work said the study is a powerful case for careful examination of the United States leave policies.