Paid Family Leave in the United States is Lacking and Parents are Hurting

Family leave is a crucial issue for many families in the United States. While some federal protections exist, the United States lacks comprehensive family leave policies. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United States is the only OECD country that does not guarantee any paid leave for new mothers. In contrast, many other countries provide paid leave for both mothers and fathers, with some countries offering up to a year or more of time.

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides certain employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for specified family and medical reasons, including the birth or adoption of a child, caring for a seriously ill family member, or recovering from a serious health condition. However, FMLA only applies to certain employers and employees, leaving many workers without access to any paid leave.

 In the absence of a federal family leave policy, many states have enacted their own family leave laws. As of 2021, ten states (California, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington) and the District of Columbia have enacted paid family leave laws. These laws typically provide a certain number of weeks of paid leave for qualifying reasons, such as caring for a newborn or newly adopted child, caring for a seriously ill family member, or dealing with one's own serious health condition. However, the eligibility criteria and benefits vary from state to state, and not all workers are covered.

 The lack of comprehensive family leave policies in the United States has significant implications for families and the economy. Many workers may be forced to choose between caring for a family member or risking their job and financial security. This can be particularly challenging for low-income families and those living paycheck to paycheck. For many, this is an impossible choice.

 Every Parent’s Right is committed to helping with the financial burden of new parenthood by helping to bridge the gap in family leave policies. We hope our services are no longer needed soon because parental leave will become a universal right rather than a luxury.