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DP_Assignment 4_Maternity Leave

With most of the world offering basic paid maternity leave benefits its often a mystery why the US is far behind with its treatment of budding parents. While the UK, Italy, and others have offered paid maternity leave as early as DATE the United States has next to know federal laws surrounding protection for new families. The few laws that mention maternity leave are part of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The Family and Medical Leave Act states 'most' employers must allow up to 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave to 'eligible' recipients, however, this time is cumulative. Both partners only have 12 weeks between the two of them and only if the employer meets the FMLA requirements.

Under the FMLA, an employer DOES NOT have to provide unpaid maternity leave if:
- The company has LESS THAN 50 employees in a 75-mile radius
- You have worked for your employer for fewer than 25 hours per week for 50 weeks
- you’re in the highest 10 percent of wage earners at your company and your employer can prove that your absence would cause them significant financial harm

Even after meeting the requirements to be covered by the FMLA guidelines, which does not do much for parents in the first place, there are more pitfalls.

Under the FMLA, if you ARE eligible for unpaid maternity leave:
- you may need to “use up” all your vacation days, sick leave, and personal days, and this time will be deducted from your 12 weeks of maternity leave

While most of the country is stuck with the lackluster benefits of the FMLA, California offers a small benefit in the way of CA State disability insurance payout while dealing with pregnancy after-effects and during their maternity leave.

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