You may know that new mothers are often entitled to significant leave after the birth or adoption of a child. Unfortunately, many new fathers do not understand that they have rights as well.
If you want time to bond with your new baby, but your job is getting in the way, it is time to learn about your rights.
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Under this federal employment law, eligible employees can have up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave within a year of the birth to spend time with a new child. The law applies to employees with at least 12 months on the job and 1,250 or more hours of recorded work time during that period.
The FMLA ensures job protection, meaning you may return to the same or an equivalent position after your leave.
Using paid leave
New parents may also be able to use their paid leave to secure or extend time off. However, Indiana has no laws obligating employers to grant leave requests for bonding time.
Review your employee handbook or policy manual to see how the employer handles paid leave requests, especially regarding a new child, and discuss your need for paid leave in advance.
Taking this step can prevent the employer from being blindsided by a sudden leave request while enabling you to spend time with your newest family member.
As you can see, there are robust protections in place on the federal level for new parents, including fathers. If your employer violates your FMLA and other rights, a legal representative can help you find a remedy.