Question

1. Answer the following in detail. (I'll give a thumbs up! Thanks.)

A. What is “maternity leave” like in the US?

B. Are there State (in the UC) differences in maternity leave benefits?

C. Is there “paternity leave” in the US? In which states and what is it like?

Answer 1

1. A.) The US only provides unpaid leave for new mothers. It is regulated by the US Labour law. The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) provides for only unpaid leave for upto 12 weaks to parents after giving birth or adoption. Also this is applicable only if you are working in a company with more than 50 employees within 75 miles of where you work and only if you have been working with the firm for more than one year. If the spouse is also working in the same company, it gives only 12 weeks split between the two of parents.

B) There are state differences in maternity leave benefits. 18 states and the district of Columbia and Puerto ricoh have more generous laws. A few have been listed below.

• In California, women in companies with atleast 5 employees are eligible for paid leave upto four months and can collect two thirds of their wages.
• All working women of Hawaii are eligible with 58% of their weekly wages upto 26 weeks.
• In Montana, all working women are entitled to 6 weeks of maternity leave.
• In Oregon, women in firms with atleast 25 employees and minimum 90 days of work can avail upto 12 weeks.
• In Washington, women in companies with more than 8 employees are entitles to 6-8 weeks of leave.
• In the states of Iowa and Kansas, minimum number of employees to avail leave is 4 and can get upto 8 weeks of leave.
• Only companies with minimum 21 employees need to give maternity leave upto 6 weeks in Minnesota
• Connecticut gives upto 8 weeks of leave for women in companies with atleast 3 employee.
• New Jersey provides leave as per FMLA and is entitled to payment 4 weeks before and 6 weeks after vaginal delivery and 6 weeks after c-section.

C) The paternity leave is also guarded by the FMLA and does not provide for any paid leave. However, 4 states in the US provide paid family leave for fathers as well. They are California, New Jersey, Rhode island, New York. Massachusetts amd Washington DC are regorming their laws to make them more employee friendly.