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What is Paternity Leave?
Paternity leave is the period of absence from work granted to a new father and to the spouse/partner of a new mother who has recently given birth or adopted a child. It is intended to allow new dads time to bond with their new or adopted child and provide support for Mom as she navigates the adjustment of becoming a parent.
Paternity leave is gaining recognition as a crucial benefit to fathers and entire families. It allows a father to take up to one month off work following the birth or adoption of a newborn child and may also be associated with positive outcomes in the well-being and development of the child.
How Long is Paternity Leave?
Paternity leave and the protections offered allow a father to care for their child. Many countries have some mandatory paternity leave provisions that employers must grant to their workers. Paternity leave is of varying length, typically from one to three weeks off, and in some places, months, paid or unpaid, depending on the employer or country.
Does FMLA Cover Paternity Leave?
Covered by FMLA (USA) – Family and Medical Leave Act. As most employers know, the FMLA provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave during a calendar year for the birth, adoption, or foster care of a child. These include paternity by a new biological father for any time he takes off to care for the new child or newly adopted child (this leave is only available if the mother of the child has filed and served notice that she plans to take pregnancy disability leave).
To be eligible for FMLA leave, an employee must work for a covered employer (a private employer with 50 or more employees or a federal, state, or local government agency), have worked for that employer for at least 12 months, and have worked at least 1,250 hours during the previous 12 months.
Also, See: Maternity Leave
