I need to take time off because my wife is about to give birth any day now, but I don't know if there is such a thing as paternity leave. Is it the same as maternity leave? and does my employer have to comply without placing me on his bad list? Is this possible in California? How do I go about it without risking losing my job? I may need 2-3 weeks to assist my wife during the recovery.
2007-10-12 04:28:46 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
We have a family medical leave act that you can take when you or your spouse has a baby, adopts a baby or has an immediate relative that is in need of your presence.
Go to your HR department immediately and they will help you, you will probably have to use vacation/sick/personal time for pay but you are entitled to some time off.
My husband had 5 weeks scheduled off when my last one was born. He came early and only ended up taking 2 weeks but he was allowed to take more time if we needed it.
2007-10-12 04:34:40 · answer #1 · answered by New England Babe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In California, you as a father are allowed to take up to 6 weeks to bond with a new baby. It's something new that started in 2002 so I guess not alot of people know about it. I didn't have this with my first baby in 2000, just the regular 12 weeks of paid maternity. But with my second, I had the 12 weeks plus another 6 weeks on top of that. I'm not sure if you as a father get the 12 weeks but I know for sure the 6 weeks are for both parents. So for your wife make sure she gets 12 weeks paid(the forms you get from her doctor) plus the 6 weeks extra. I think the 12 weeks was on a disability form. I forget...my doctor did everything for me, I just signed and mailed it. I think he wrote the date that I stopped working and counted 12 weeks to write the return to work date. In the area where you write what's the disability he simply wrote the word pregnancy. And then for the other I can't remember how I applied for it. I think it was at work in the HR dept. but I'm not sure. But it's called Paid Family Leave Ins. Here's a website with more info: www.edd.ca.gov/fleclaimfl.htm
or just www.edd.ca.gov if that doesn't work.
Good Luck...
2007-10-12 05:55:49 · answer #2 · answered by sol's mom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are probably entitled to 12 weeks unpaid leave off according to the FMLA, just the same as your wife. (I say "probably" because some very small companies are exempt.) Your employer will generally require a form from your wife's obstetrician confirming that she did indeed have a baby.
2007-10-12 04:32:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know, though I suspect it varies by state, employer, etc. I just wanted to say, though, that you are a great guy!!!!! That is very sweet of you to realize that she will need help and that it's not only her job to care for the new baby.
Congrats to you both!!!!!!!! Good luck finding answers on that one:)
2007-10-12 04:38:21 · answer #4 · answered by roobee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋