U.S. Parental Leave Laws
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave with continuation of health insurance coverage.
As applies to new parents that means 12 UNPAID workweeks of leave in a 12-month period for:
During Pregnancy
Job-protected leave for prenatal care or when an expecting mother is unable to work because of the pregnancy.
For adoptive or foster parents, the FMLA provides a right to take leave for required counseling, court appointments and related travel prior to the foster care placement or adoption.
Birth and Bonding Time
A right to unpaid, job-protected leave for the baby’s birth or the placement of a child with adoptive or foster parents. This right is afforded not only for the birth, but for an extended time to bond with the child within the first year after birth or placement.
Make sure your employer is supporting your right to heal and bond
11 U.S. states offer qualifying employees additional maternity leave benefits:
California 6 weeks at 55% pay
Colorado 12 weeks at 90% pay
Connecticut 12 weeks at 95% pay
Delaware 12 weeks at 80% pay, max $900/wk
Massachusetts 12 weeks at 80% pay
Maryland 12 weeks at 90% pay, max $1000/wk
New Jersey 12 weeks at 85% pay, max $1025/wk
New York 12 weeks at 67% pay
Oregon 12 weeks at 100% pay
Rhode Island 4 weeks at 60% pay
Washington 12 weeks at 90% pay
3 U.S. states (Georgia, New Hampshire, and South Carolina) now offer paid parental leave for state employees.
To find out if you qualify for paid leave in one of the above states click the link
As the U.S. DOES NOT MANDATE ANY FORM OF PAID PARENTAL LEAVE, it is difficult to impossible for many to take the medically necessary time to heal, learn and bond.
What we deserve is the Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act. Employees would be to able to take paid leave in order to:
Address the employee’s serious health condition
Care for a family member with a serious health condition
Bond with a new child, including a newborn, adopted or foster child
Deal with the impact of a family member’s military deployment
Respond to needs arising whether the employee or their family member experiences sexual or domestic violence
Learn more about the FAMILY Act and how you can support a better society for women and families.
