Bringing a new child into the family is a joyous yet challenging time. However, concerning about how much time can be afforded off from work should not be part of the equation. Unfortunately, for many working parents in the U.S., it is, due to the lack of federal family leave policy. Instead, they have to rely on workplace policies, disability time, or state leave programs, which often pay only a percentage of their total income.

According to UNICEF, new parents should ideally have 24 weeks of leave after the birth of a child. However, on average, new mothers take only 29 days off. This convoluted situation of different regulations makes the process of applying for paid leave overwhelming.

One of the biggest issues with the current system is the pay cut that most people have to take. This is often too big a burden for most, forcing them to return to their jobs sooner, thus eliminating many benefits of parental leave.

Parento, a paid family leave insurance provider, strives to solve this issue. They help organizations implement paid leave programs that are beneficial for both employees and the business’s finances. Their preferred policy includes a minimum of 10 weeks of leave, gender-neutral rules, and flexibility in using the leave time.

The financial stress new parents face often drives them out of the workforce. To combat this, Parento encourages employers to cover 75% of an employee’s salary during their leave. This is significantly higher than the 60% offered by state leave programs.

Despite these benefits, many employers are still hesitant due to the costs of providing fully-paid leave for an extended period. Yet, a mindshift is necessary and already happening, according to Parento’s CEO, Dirk Doebler. Many companies are now realizing the need to provide paid leave.

Lastly, for many stressful instances, like filing for paid leave, an accountant or expert who knows how to contact PFL might be useful. A resource offering tips and strategies to contact PFL and get direct assistance is eddcaller.com. They provide guidelines on how to get a hold of Paid Family Leave, helping parents in their journey towards a balanced work-life transition.