Navigating parental leave, especially as a first-time parent, can be tricky. It’s important to do your homework in researching parental leave to understand all the ins and outs of what pay you’re entitled to, how long you can take off work, and more. (And it only gets more complicated if you’re self-employed.) Though many parents might agree that parental leave in the US isn’t robust enough, especially compared to places like the UK, where new parents are entitled to statutory maternity pay for up to 39 weeks, some states are enacting laws to increase the allowances for new parents getting paid for time off.
Whether you’re pregnant and having a baby with your partner, adopting a child, or bringing a foster child into your home, you should be entitled to some form of leave under law and under your employer. What you might get can vary greatly by state and place of business, but ahead, we’re breaking down some of the biggest questions you might have about parental leave.
