You can take advantage of the benefit of paternity leave and spend some quality time with your newborn.
A briefing on paternity leave in the 21st century:
FMLA Mandates Unpaid Paternity Leave
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) directs employers’ to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to employees with a new child, including adopted and foster children. Although, the law rules out 61 million men and women -- around 40 per cent of the American workforce – as they haven’t spent sufficient time with the employer or their company has fewer than 50 workers. Also, those who are protected under this Act can use up to a total of 12 weeks' unpaid leave per year.
However, if you believe that you have been denied FMLA wrongfully you can contact the US Department of Labour’s Wage and Hour Division office in your state or your state labour office if state law may concern.
US Paid Paternity Leave Plan Not Competitive
Many employees cannot afford to let-go weeks or months of salary. Unfortunately U.S. is not liberal with paid parental leave compared to many developed countries like Canada, Germany or Italy.
Notably, just 17 per cent of employers have an option of paternity leave with salary, according to a 2010 benefits survey from the Society for Human Resource Management.
As against this, Canada provides 55 per cent of pay or up to $413 a week of parental leave, pooled between father and mother, according to the International Labour Organization. Whereas, Italian working fathers can avail three months’ leave at 80 percent pay.
However, US states have realized the importance of the same and have started to consider provide paid paternity leave. For example, California’s Paid Family Leave program offers six weeks of leave with 55 per cent pay to parents with new children.
Companies have begun to form a paid paternity leave benefit for their employees, considering it as a good investment in the workforce that can help retention and to build firm loyalty.
Paid Leave Doesn’t Always Equal a Free Lunch
Many white-collar workers can’t wholly rest their professional responsibilities during paternal leave. Certainly, in the middle of a strategically important business deal, the paternal parent is expected to balance two responsibilities rather than going-off completely from official duties.
