{"id":357735,"date":"2016-04-04T10:45:26","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:45:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/employment\/family-medical-leave\/maternity-leave-overview.html"},"modified":"2024-01-07T15:38:43","modified_gmt":"2024-01-07T20:38:43","slug":"maternity-leave-overview","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/family-medical-leave\/maternity-leave-overview.html","title":{"rendered":"Parental and Maternity Leave Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Parental and Maternity Leave Overview<\/h1>\n
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\n By Lisa Burden, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Susan Mills Richmond, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Maternity leave is time taken off from work before and after giving birth to a child. However, in the modern workplace, with men also taking time off to care for a new child, parental leave has replaced maternity leave.<\/p>\r\n

Laws covering maternity and parental leave are relatively new in the United States. Such laws are commonplace in other countries.<\/p>\r\n

There is no federal policy mandating that private employers provide paid parental leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act provides unpaid leave. Capitol Hill lawmakers have introduced paid leave program bills on many occasions, but none made it across the finish line.<\/p>\r\n

Prospective parents are often concerned with how much time they can take off from work before and after the birth of a child. Another important consideration is whether the leave will be paid and, if so, how much. Some states provide parental leave, but the payout varies from total wages to a little more than half.<\/p>\r\n

Several laws can come into play concerning parental leave and coverage for wages.<\/p>\r\n

Parental Leave and the Family and Medical Leave Act<\/h2>\r\n

The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993<\/a> (FMLA) guarantees parental leave for many workers. An eligible employee of a covered employer is entitled to 12 weeks of unpaid leave within a 12-month period.<\/p>\r\n

FMLA leave can be taken for several reasons, including:<\/p>\r\n