Parental Leave Basics

Parental Leave Basics

Category : Employee Benefits

If you’re expecting and gainfully employed, you need to educate yourself about parental leave laws and policies. You may think you know everything, but both company guidelines and employee expectations are reshaping this type of benefit. There can be vast differences between maternity leave in the staffing industry and paternity leave in the tech sector. Over the last few years, many employers have been extending parental leave benefits to attract and retain a younger pool of talent. Let’s take a quick look.

Staffing Industry Basics

If you work in the staffing industry as a temporary worker you may or may not be entitled to job protection under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Ask specific questions of both your temp agency and the company with which you’ve been placed. It depends on how many people both the company and the temp agency employ, as well as the number of staff the temp agency has placed with the company to which you’ve been assigned.

Full-Time Trends

If you’re a full-time employee somewhere and considering parenthood, look closely at the benefits your employer is offering as compared to their competitors. Many companies are increasing paid time off for:

  • Expectant mothers
  • Expectant fathers
  • Prospective adoptive parents
  • Surrogate mothers
  • Foster parental leave.

Your benefits may extend beyond what FMLA dictates you get. Be sure to know how much time off your employer offers.