All about maternity leave in America
Published on April 9, 2021 / Updated on November 7, 2022
The arrival of a new baby is a magical time. It’s time to get prepared and informed as we discuss American maternity policies and other options you have to ensure a stress-free time with your new bundle of joy.
Before we jump into the legal side of things, let’s go over a few of the basics below.
In this guide I’ll discuss a few key terms about maternity leave, which include:
While Sweden, Norway, Croatia, and the UK offer the most paid maternity leave in the world, the United States unfortunately comes in at the lowest on the list for family-friendly policies.
Yes, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993 does allow parents to take up to 12 unpaid weeks of leave. This pertains to women that are pregnant, fostering, or adopting a child. But there is a catch. To qualify you must:
This policy is undoubtedly not the most family-oriented and depends very much so on work circumstances rather than personal ones. Although the FMLA states there are positive outcomes from taking advantage of this policy (such as a decrease in infant mortality and higher birth weights), it’s largely unavailable to the mothers who need it most.
When I lived in the US before moving to Germany as an expat, I was astonished when one of my pregnant colleagues had to march herself back to the classroom only 14 days after giving birth. Yeah…it’s not the greatest, but it’s the way it is.
Despite quite a bleak situation for parental leave policies in general in the US, there are a few options to consider:
Quick note: I’d like to mention the importance of your mental health and well-being pre and post-baby to prevent postpartum depression or other pregnancy-related illnesses. The Center for Disease Control has a comprehensive list of resources for new mothers that you can check out.
Parental or family leave policies depend on the state. Currently, only some states offer paid parental leave and those are New York State, Washington State, Washington D.C., Rhode Island, New Jersey, and California.
California was a forerunner in the race, providing up to 70% paid leave for a maximum of eight weeks, while Rhode Island’s policy offers 60% of pay for a duration of four weeks.
Be sure to check with your specific state laws and company to ensure smooth planning for your new baby.
Businesses in the US aren’t legally required to provide pay or even permission to take a break for maternity leave. Nonetheless, if you already know you’ll be pregnant in the near future, it would be worth discussing options with your employer.
It’s no secret that it takes longer for federal and state laws to pass, but single businesses can create progressive change, and become more adaptable toward their employees’ needs. It never hurts to ask, so think about bringing this up when negotiating your employment contract.
To say it simply, no… at least not on a state or federal level. However, there is an uprising of companies transforming the way paternity leave is handled. For example, Netflix offers up to 52 weeks of paid paternity leave, and Starbucks provides 6 weeks of 100% paid leave, and up to an additional 12 weeks of unpaid leave. Another notable company, Reddit, grants 16 weeks of paid leave for new moms and dads! To leave on a positive note, progressive change is happening little by little.