The issue of parental paid leave is a contentious issue in the United States. Currently, the U.S. mandates 12 weeks of unpaid leave annually for parents of newborn or newly adopted children if they are employed by a company with more than fifty employees. Thirteen states alongside the District of Columbia have legislated obligatory paid family leave systems. Additionally, eight states grant voluntary systems that offer paid family leave through private insurance.

Wisconsin State Representative Lisa Subeck, recently made a statement advocating for the state to establish its own paid family and medical leave insurance program. She cited that the U.S. is one of only a few countries that do not guarantee paid leave for new parents.

In terms of parental leave, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) mandates a 12-week unpaid leave per year for parents of newly born or adopted children if they work for a company with over fifty employees. This provision has been expanded in 2020 to cover caregivers of sick family members. However, it remains unpaid leave.

For paid leave, the Federal Employee Paid Leave Act of 2019 provides most civilian federal government employees with paid parental leave benefits. The Bipartisan Policy Center reports that thirteen states and the District of Columbia have legislated compulsory paid family leave systems, while eight additional states have voluntary systems.

Despite these measures, there is no national paid parental leave program. Recent data illustrates that the U.S. and Papua New Guinea are the only two countries that offer no paid leave for mothers of infants. A report issued by Velocity Global in January 2024 reaffirms this, placing the U.S. as one of five countries offering no federal compensation guarantees for maternity leave.

Subeck’s assertion is true: The U.S. does not federally mandate paid leave, making it an outlier when compared to most other countries. This situation exists although many states and private businesses do offer paid leave.

For people living in California, relating to Subeck’s statement, there are programs such as Paid Family Leave (PFL) and State Disability Insurance (SDI). If you are facing difficulties or confusion in navigating through these, EDDCaller.com provides services to aid Californians in these processes. Whether you require information on how to contact SDI, EDD customer service, PFL, or if you are seeking help on how to get through to EDD, they have services catered to guide you through. From getting in contact with a live person at EDD California to understanding the fastest way to get through to EDD, turn to EDDCaller.com for all your needs pertaining to California’s employment benefits.