Parental leave is a crucial workplace policy that allows parents to take time off to care for their newborn or adopted children. This policy lets employees be absent from work without the obligation to perform tasks or communicate with their employer during their leave.

The compensation and duration of parental leave can vary based on your state and employer. A robust parental leave policy offers protected time off and helps employers attract and retain top talent.

What Is Parental Leave?

Parental leave is an employer-provided benefit that allows working parents to take time off to bond with and care for their children. This benefit includes maternity and paternity leave for legal guardians, biological parents, and adoptive parents, covering the period surrounding a child's birth, adoption, or foster care.

Why Is Parental Leave Important?

Parental leave is crucial for employees and a key component in most company's HR policies. Employers offer parental leave for several reasons:

• Improves Work-Life Balance. A parental leave policy can help improve the work-life balance of working parents.
• Enhances Health and Well-Being. Parental leave policy contributes to parent's and children's health and well-being.
• Increases Employee Retention. A generous parental leave policy attracts job seekers and increases employee retention rates.
• Promotes Inclusivity and Diversity. Parental leave policies help employers create a more inclusive and diverse work culture and offer equitable benefits that support non-biological parents or LGBTQ employees.
• Builds a Positive Public Image. Organizations implementing robust parental policies enjoy a more positive image that helps build their reputation. They benefit from increased employee loyalty and a more diverse and satisfying work culture.

Types of Parental Leave Requirements and Company-Specific Policies

While many countries offer 12 or more weeks of paid parental leave, the U.S. lacks a federal policy mandating it. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows employees in the U.S. to take unpaid leave for qualified medical and family reasons if their employer does not provide paid parental leave.

FMLA applies to:

• Employees working for companies with at least 50 employees.
• Offers 12 weeks of unpaid, secure leave within 12 months of a child's birth, adoption, or foster placement.
• Protects employees from being fired for taking parental leave.

Many companies are offering paid parental leave to employees with varying policy terms. Employers' parental leave policies may include paid or unpaid time off after a child's birth or adoption.

Before taking leave, the employee must notify the employer and HR department two months from the due date. The leave policy typically includes the return-to-work date and any required post-leave employment duration.

Employers should support employees returning from leave, including re-onboarding and a listening tour to catch up on workplace developments. In addition, companies must offer a robust coverage plan to ensure return-to-work success after the parental leave period.

Parental Benefits and Pay

A good parental leave policy might provide:

• Paid Leave: Many employers offer paid leave to support employees.
• Adequate Time Off: Companies typically provide 14 to 16 weeks of parental leave for bonding with children.
• Time for Fathers and Non-Birthing Parents: Besides maternity leave, parental benefits may include leave for fathers and non-birthing parents.
• Split Time: Many companies split paternal leave into multiple breaks, allowing fathers and non-birthing parents the flexibility to take time off from work.
• Flexible Work Schedules: Many employees are offered part-time or flexible work schedules after returning with full pay or a payment percentage.
• Job Protection: Companies offer job protection to allow returning employees to ease back into the workplace.
• Extended Benefit and Support Programs: Employers offer employee assistance programs (EAP) to help parents navigate parenting challenges.
• Physical and Mental Health Support: Companies offer different physical and mental health support through counseling and access to specialized care to help new parents.

Takeaway

Parental leave policies support working parents and promote a healthy work-life balance. Progressive parental leave policies help organizations attract and retain talent, foster diversity and inclusion, and create a more family-friendly work environment.