Get-To-Know: Maternity And Paternity Leave And Benefits To Stay On Top Of Your Workplace

Pregnancy is a special period of time for families.

Although women frequently undergo the most noticeable shift, doctors increasingly acknowledge that both parents must adjust during this period. 

Early postpartum life includes bond-building between the new child and family to support families (and individuals) in thriving.

Many nations and businesses provide their employees with paid parental leave following childbirth. 

Paternity leave, however, is less prevalent than maternity leave.

Companies must abide by the laws of the nation where their employees are employed. 

However, businesses can provide higher benefits, particularly in nations that have lagged behind the global trend.

What is Statutory Maternity Leave?

No federal law in the U.S. provides statutory maternity leave with pay. 

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees with 12 weeks of job-protected, unpaid leave for the birth or adoption of a child but does not guarantee payment. 

Some states, such as California, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and New York, have passed laws to offer paid family leave.

Are you allowed to work when pregnant?

In the U.S., pregnant employees are protected under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA), which prohibits employment discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. 

Employers must provide reasonable accommodations for pregnancy-related conditions unless doing so would cause undue hardship for the employer. 

Pregnant employees are also eligible for job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) if they meet the eligibility requirements. 

However, FMLA only provides for unpaid leave.

What are the working benefits if you’re pregnant? 

In the U.S., there are several benefits available to pregnant employees, including:

1. Job protection: The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) prohibits employers from discriminating against employees because of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, which includes firing, demoting, or refusing to hire a woman because she is pregnant.
2. Reasonable accommodations: Pregnant employees may be entitled to reasonable accommodations, such as modified work schedules or changes to work duties, for any pregnancy-related conditions.
3. Unpaid leave: The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees with 12 weeks of job-protected, unpaid leave for the birth or adoption of a child.
4. Paid family leave: A few states, such as California, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and New York, have laws that provide paid family leave, which may be available to new mothers.
5. Lactation accommodation: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires employers to provide reasonable break time and private space, other than a bathroom, for employees to express breast milk.

How to plan for childcare?

Planning childcare in the U.S. can be challenging, but several options are available. These include:

1. Daycare centers: Provide care for your children in a group with trained staff.
2. In-home care: Care provided in a caregiver’s home, either for a single child or a small group of children.
3. Nanny: A caregiver who provides one-on-one care in your child’s home.
4. Family member or friend: Some families choose to have a trusted friend or relative provide childcare.
5. After-school programs: Schools and community centers often offer programs for children before and after school.

Costs, availability, and quality vary widely, so carefully research and compare options. 

Financial assistance is available through programs such as the Child Care and Development Fund and the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account.

Returning to work after Statutory Maternity Leave… 

Returning to work after statutory maternity leave in the U.S. can be challenging for new mothers.

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees with 12 weeks of job-protected leave for the birth or adoption of a child but does not guarantee payment. 

Some states, such as California, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and New York, have laws that provide paid family leave.

New mothers are entitled to reasonable accommodations for pregnancy-related conditions upon returning to work under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA), which can include: 

• Modified work schedules
• Breaks for lactation
• Changes to work duties

Employers could also have flexible work arrangements, such as telecommuting or a compressed workweek, to help new mothers balance work and family responsibilities. 

In addition, some employers offer backup childcare and other resources to support working parents. 

How to request a flexible working period?

In the U.S., there is no federal law mandating flexible work arrangements. 

Still, many employers offer them as a benefit to their employees. 

To request flexible work arrangements, such as telecommuting, a flexible schedule, or a compressed workweek, employees should follow these steps:

1. Research company policy: Check your employee handbook or talk to H.R. to see if the company has a formal policy on flexible work arrangements.
2. Evaluate job requirements: Consider whether your responsibilities can be performed effectively with a flexible arrangement.
3. Prepare a proposal: Present a well-thought-out proposal to your manager that outlines how a flexible arrangement would benefit you and the company.
4. Discuss the proposal with your manager: Schedule a meeting to discuss your proposal and be prepared to answer any questions or address any concerns.
5. Negotiate: If your proposal is approved, negotiate the terms and conditions of the arrangement, such as schedule, work location, and any technical requirements.

It is important to approach the request professionally and to be open to negotiation. 

Not all requests for flexible work arrangements can be accommodated, but it is worth exploring the possibility.

About Paternity Leave…

In the U.S., there is no federal law mandating paid paternity leave. 

Some employers may offer it, but it is not a requirement. 

Paternity leave has gained proper recognition as an essential benefit for workers throughout the industrialized world. The U.S. is no different from this.

The FMLA leave provides time off for mothers or families to promote bonding with a new baby. 

However, even though this seems to normalize child care for both parents, it is hardly a situation that new or adoptive dads or moms would find acceptable. 

In a 2018 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) assessment, out of 41 nations that offered leave, the U.S. came at the bottom.

When a man plans to start a family, paternity leave protects his employment. 

The foundation of the family dynamic is this practice. 

No little amount of financial sacrifice will be required as a result of fathers taking paid vacations.

American fathers need their time off to maintain a healthy work-life balance. 

Paid leave will also promote higher parental activity engagement.

What are Child Tax credits?

The Child Tax Credit is a federal tax credit in the U.S. designed to help families offset the cost of raising children. 

The credit is non-refundable, which means it can reduce your tax liability to zero. Still, you won’t receive a refund for any unused credit. 

The Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,000 per qualifying child for the tax years 2021 and 2022.

To qualify for the Child Tax Credit, the child must be under 17 years of age at the end of the tax year and must meet the following criteria:

1. The child must be a U.S. citizen, national, or resident alien.
2. The child must have a valid Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
3. The child must have lived with the taxpayer for more than half of the tax year.
4. The child must be the taxpayer’s dependent and cannot provide more than half of their support.

In addition, the taxpayer must have a certain taxable income to claim the Child Tax Credit. 

The credit is gradually reduced and phased out for taxpayers with higher incomes. 

It is important to consult a tax professional or review the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidelines for the most up-to-date information on the Child Tax Credit and other tax benefits for families.

Where to get help and support if you are pregnant?

If you are pregnant in the U.S. and need help and support, here are a few organizations and resources you may find helpful:

1. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau: This government agency provides information and resources for women, including information on pregnancy and childbirth.
2. American Pregnancy Association: This organization provides information, resources, and support for pregnant women and their families.
3. National Partnership for Women & Families: This organization works to advance policies that support women, families, and the workplace, including information on pregnancy and maternity leave.
4. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act: This federal law prohibits discrimination against pregnant workers in the workplace.
5. Your employer’s H.R. department: Your employer may have resources and policies in place to support employees who are pregnant or on maternity leave.
6. A health care provider: Your doctor or midwife can provide medical advice and support and connect you with resources and support groups in your community.
7. Local resources: Check with your health department, community center, or family resource center for information on local resources and support groups for pregnant women.

Take away

No federal or state legislation requires pregnancy benefits, even though the FMLA in the U.S. gives moms at least a limited window to recover and care for a child following delivery or adoption.

The United States’ absence of parental leave and benefits has serious negative effects.

Families require time to get used to new habits and sleeping patterns, and the woman needs time to recuperate physically after giving birth.

A woman may not be as productive at work as she could be if she rested and had her home life in order rather than rushing back to work immediately after giving birth because she cannot afford the loss of a salary.

In the workplace, maternity, and paternity leave need to be given. 

The workplace will promote good family relationships by offering new fathers the chance to engage with their kids and partners. 

Organizations also stand to benefit from offering workers this perk through employee satisfaction.

Resources

https://www.ilo.org/dyn/travail/docs/1345/A143_updated%20(1).pdf

https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/@dgreports/@dcomm/@publ/documents/publication/wcms_242615.pdf