Paternity Leave

When a couple adopts a baby or has a new baby, everyone knows that there are options for the mother to go on maternity leave in order to be with the new baby. What many don’t realize is that paternity leave is available to new fathers, in cases of birth and adoption.

Paternity leave is a valuable thing that parents should utilize in order to ensure that no one goes completely crazy after the birth of a baby. It is the time a father takes off at work after the birth or adoption of a child or baby. Unfortunately, this type of leave is rarely paid. There are a number of progressive companies that have started offering their employees who are also new dads paid time off but they are still rare.

In 2004, California, always at the front of progressive issues, became the first state that offered paid family leave. Employees of the state of California might be eligible to take up to 6 weeks of partial pay to help a spouse care for a new baby.

This partial pay plan works for many but does not work for others. Individuals who are not employed by the state are generally forced to take vacation time or sick days in order to help their house adjust to the presence of a new being. Another trend is towards new dads taking unpaid family leave from work to bond with their newborns.

Contact a San Jose Family Lawyer

For more information on paternity leave, maternity leave, and other issues surrounding adoption in California, contact the San Jose family lawyers of the Law Office of Daniel Jensen at 408-296-4100.