Your employee has shared her good news - she is having a baby! She immediately wants to know how much time off she is allowed and how much of that time will be paid. At a minimum, your company must have a parental leave policy that complies with applicable law. A more generous leave policy will help your company attract and retain talent. Creating a parental leave policy that is right for your business is a complicated, yet important task.
What is Parental Leave?
Parental leave has two parts: (i) pregnancy-related medical leave; and (ii) parental bonding leave. The first type is limited to women who give birth, while parental bonding leave must be offered to both men and women equally. Failing to provide sufficient leave time, or offering leave in a discriminatory manner, can result in a disgruntled employee filing a lawsuit.
