FWIW California at least allows new fathers to take 12 weeks paternity leave. My company normally only offers 4 weeks of paid paternity leave, but my coworker managed to get 12 by living in California. I believe he only got paid for 4 weeks of it since I don’t think the rule requires employers to pay the whole thing, but at least he got a lot of time off to help his wife and bond with his new son.
My sister wasn’t even fully healed by the 12-week mark after her firstborn. Fortunately we live in Canada and have 12 months parental leave at 55% salary and jobs are protected. It’s inhumane to force new mothers back to work so soon or basically face unemployment.
In California, the state pays you the remainder of your time off after your company has fulfilled their initial contribution. California bases it on a 3 month average from a past point, pays you that tax free (although you do need to pay federal taxes on it).
FWIW California at least allows new fathers to take 12 weeks paternity leave. My company normally only offers 4 weeks of paid paternity leave, but my coworker managed to get 12 by living in California. I believe he only got paid for 4 weeks of it since I don’t think the rule requires employers to pay the whole thing, but at least he got a lot of time off to help his wife and bond with his new son.
In the UK I’m coming to the end of my 20weeks paid parental leave (admittedly this is generous, but still not crazy).
The US sounds awful.
My sister wasn’t even fully healed by the 12-week mark after her firstborn. Fortunately we live in Canada and have 12 months parental leave at 55% salary and jobs are protected. It’s inhumane to force new mothers back to work so soon or basically face unemployment.
In California, the state pays you the remainder of your time off after your company has fulfilled their initial contribution. California bases it on a 3 month average from a past point, pays you that tax free (although you do need to pay federal taxes on it).