Family Leave News & Guides
Expert guides, news, and analysis on FMLA and US family leave law
Leave Management Systems: Best Software for 2026
Leave management systems automate PTO tracking, FMLA administration, and state paid-leave compliance. Here's what the software actually does, the main categories of vendors, and how to choose the right type for your company.
Leave Tracker: Best Tools to Track Employee Time Off
A leave tracker can be anything from a shared spreadsheet to a full HR platform. Here's how to think about which type actually fits your team, and what any leave tracker needs to get right for legally protected leave.
Can You Get Unemployment If You Quit? 2026 Guide
Generally no - quitting without good cause disqualifies you from unemployment. But there are exceptions for constructive discharge, medical reasons, and domestic violence. Here's when you can get unemployment after quitting.
Quitting Without Notice: Consequences & What to Know
Quitting without notice is legal in at-will employment states - but it has consequences. Here's what happens when you quit without notice and how to minimize the damage.
Companies with Unlimited PTO: Who Offers It in 2026?
Unlimited PTO is growing - here are the companies that offer it, how it works at each one, and what to know before accepting an unlimited PTO offer.
Unpaid Time Off: Your Rights & When to Take It
Unpaid time off is leave without pay. It can be protected (FMLA) or discretionary (personal leave). Here's when you can take unpaid time off and what your rights are.
Flexible Time Off: Flex PTO vs. Traditional PTO
Flexible time off (flex PTO) is a modern approach to paid time off with no fixed bank. Here's how flex PTO works, how it compares to traditional PTO, and what to expect.
Comp Time: What It Is, How It Works & FLSA Rules
Comp time (compensatory time) is paid time off earned instead of overtime pay. It's legal for public-sector employees but heavily restricted in the private sector. Here's how it works.
Intermittent Leave of Absence: How It Works
An intermittent leave of absence lets you take approved time off in separate chunks instead of one continuous stretch. Here's which leave types allow it, how to request it, and how employers track and schedule around it.
Leave of Absence from Work: A Step-by-Step Guide
Requesting a leave of absence from work means figuring out which type applies to you, confirming eligibility, giving proper notice, and knowing what happens to your job and pay. Here's the step-by-step process.
Swedish Parental Leave: What the US Can Learn
Sweden offers approximately 480 days of paid parental leave per child, funded through Försäkringskassan and shared flexibly between parents. Here's how it works, hedged where the exact figures shift, and what it means next to unpaid US federal FMLA.
European Maternity Leave: How Europe Does It Better
Most European countries guarantee paid maternity leave under EU-wide rules, with several offering a year or more of job-protected leave. Here's a hedged, honest look at how Europe's approach compares to unpaid US federal FMLA.
Canadian Parental Leave: How It Compares to the US
Canada offers up to 18 months of job-protected leave with partial pay through Employment Insurance - compared to 12 weeks unpaid under US federal FMLA. Here's how Canada's system actually works and how it stacks up.
Family Leave Act: State-by-State Comparison
The Family Leave Act usually means federal FMLA - but 13 states have their own family leave laws with lower employer thresholds and broader coverage. Here's how every state compares to the federal baseline.
Paid Family and Medical Leave: Which States Have PFML?
Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) programs cover both family care and your own health condition under one paid benefit. Here's exactly which states have combined PFML, which only cover family leave, and how the two differ.
States with Paid Family Leave: Complete 2026 List
13 states have enacted paid family leave programs, from California's original 2004 law to Maryland's delayed 2027 rollout. Here's the complete list, real wage-replacement rates, and weekly maximums for each.
Unlimited PTO Policy: Pros, Cons & How to Implement
An unlimited PTO policy can boost morale and reduce administrative overhead - but it has real downsides. Here's how to implement one that actually works.
Unlimited PTO: What It Really Means & How It Works
Unlimited PTO means no fixed bank of days - you take what you need, when you need it, with manager approval. But it's not as simple as it sounds. Here's how unlimited PTO really works, the real tradeoffs, and what to check before you accept it.
Accrued Vacation: How It Works & What Happens When You Leave
Accrued vacation is earned time off that builds up over time. In some states, it's legally treated as earned wages that must be paid out when you leave - California is the best-known example. Here's how accrual and payout actually work.
Calculating PTO Accrual: Formulas, Examples & Tools
Learn exactly how to calculate PTO accrual with step-by-step formulas and worked examples - for salaried, hourly, and part-time employees, plus how to prorate for new hires and mid-year raises.
Paid Holidays: Which Holidays Do Employers Give Off?
Most full-time workers get 6-8 paid holidays per year. Here's which holidays are most common, how paid holidays work, whether you get paid extra for working one, and what to do if your employer offers none.
How Many PTO Days Do You Get? Average by Industry
PTO days vary widely by industry, tenure, and employer size. New employees typically get 10-15 days; tenured employees at large employers often get 20-25+. Here's the breakdown, plus how to negotiate for more.
PTO vs. Vacation: What's the Difference?
PTO and vacation aren't the same thing. PTO is a unified bank covering vacation, sick leave, and personal time. Vacation is specifically time off for rest and travel, tracked separately from sick leave. Here's the real difference.
Administrative Leave with Pay: What It Means & Your Rights
Administrative leave with pay is something your employer decides - not something you request. Here's what it means, why employers use it, and what rights you have while it's happening.
PTO Policy: How to Create a Fair Paid Time Off Policy
A good PTO policy balances flexibility with business needs. Here's what a fair PTO policy looks like, what the law requires, the red flags to watch for, and how to evaluate your employer's policy.
ADA Leave of Absence: Disability Leave Under the ADA
The ADA may require employers to provide unpaid leave as a reasonable accommodation - even beyond FMLA's 12 weeks. Here's how ADA leave works and how to request it.
Family Leave of Absence: What It Covers & How to Apply
A family leave of absence is time off to care for a spouse, child, or parent - not your own illness. FMLA covers it for 12 weeks unpaid; 13 states pay you during it. Here's exactly what's covered and how to apply.
Leave of Absence Letter: How to Write One (Templates)
A leave of absence letter formally requests time off. Here are templates for FMLA leave, medical leave, personal leave, and bereavement leave - plus what to include and mistakes to avoid.
Types of Leave: A Complete Guide to Every Kind of Time Off
From FMLA to PTO, sick leave to bereavement - here's every type of leave from work, what it covers, whether it's paid, and where to go for the full details.
Personal Leave of Absence: What It Is & When to Take One
A personal leave of absence is unpaid time off for non-medical reasons. It's not legally required - your employer can approve or deny it. Here's when to take one and how to request it.
Medical Leave of Absence: Your Rights & How to Request
A medical leave of absence is time off for your own health condition. FMLA provides 12 weeks unpaid, job-protected. STD and state PFL can pay you. Here's how to request one.
Sick Days: How Many Do You Get & How to Use Them
Sick days vary by employer - some give you a separate bank, some fold them into general PTO. Here's what a typical allotment looks like, what happens to unused days, and how to actually request one.
Sick Leave Policy: What a Good Policy Looks Like
A good sick leave policy provides paid time off for illness, family care, and preventive appointments. Here's what to include if you're writing one, and what the law requires.
Paid Sick Leave: Which States Require It?
No federal law requires paid sick leave - it's entirely a state-by-state patchwork. Verified details on California, Washington, New York, and Michigan's laws, plus how accrual actually works.
Sick Leave Laws: What Workers and Employers Should Know
There's no federal sick leave law, but a patchwork of state and city sick leave laws covers millions of workers. Here's how those laws generally work - and how they differ from FMLA.
Time Off for Bereavement: Employer Policies & Legal Rights
A practical guide to taking time off for bereavement: what to tell your employer, what documentation they can ask for, how it interacts with PTO and sick leave, and your legal rights in the 5 states that require it.
How Many Bereavement Days Do You Get? State-by-State Guide
Only 5 states legally guarantee bereavement days: California (5), Illinois (10), Oregon (14), Washington (7), and Vermont (10). Everywhere else, it's up to your employer. Here's the full day-count breakdown.
Bereavement Pay: Do You Get Paid for Bereavement Leave?
Bereavement pay depends on your employer, not the law. No federal or state statute requires it outright - here's what 5 states do require, and what most companies actually pay.
Pregnancy Disability Leave: PDL vs. FMLA vs. PFL
Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) is a state-level job-protected leave for pregnancy-related disability, distinct from FMLA and PFL. Only California and Rhode Island have a dedicated PDL law - here's how the three programs work together.
Parental Leave: What It Is & How It Works
Parental leave is time off for new parents - it can be paid or unpaid, and comes from federal law (FMLA), state programs (PFL), or employer policies. Here's how it works.
Paid Parental Leave: Which States Offer It & How Much You Get
13 states offer paid parental leave. Here's how much you get paid, how many weeks you can take, and how to apply in every state with a PFL program.
Paid Family Leave for Fathers: PFL Benefits for Dads
13 states offer paid family leave for fathers. Here's how much dads get paid, how to apply, and how PFL works with FMLA paternity leave.
How Long Is Paternity Leave? Average Time Off for Dads
Paternity leave length depends entirely on your source: FMLA guarantees 12 weeks unpaid, 13 states pay 8-12 weeks, and employer policies range from 6 to 18+ weeks. Here's the exact duration breakdown by source.
FMLA Paternity Leave: Can Fathers Take FMLA?
Fathers have the same FMLA rights as mothers - 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for bonding with a new child. Here's how FMLA paternity leave works.
FMLA Maternity Leave: How FMLA Protects New Moms
FMLA provides 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected maternity leave. Here's how FMLA maternity leave works, who qualifies, and how to combine it with STD and PFL for paid leave.
ctpaidleave.org: Login, Apply & Check Claim Status
ctpaidleave.org is the official Connecticut Paid Leave portal, accessed through your CT.gov login. Here's how to log in, apply for benefits, check your claim status, and resolve common access issues.
Bonding Leave: What It Is & How to Use It
Bonding leave is time off to bond with a new child. It's covered by FMLA (unpaid) and state PFL programs (paid). Here's how bonding leave works and how to request it.
What Does FMLA Stand For? Meaning, Definition & How It Works
FMLA stands for the Family and Medical Leave Act, a 1993 federal law that guarantees 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for medical and family reasons. Here's what it means and how it works.
USPS FMLA: Federal Employee Leave Guide
USPS employees have FMLA rights, but the Postal Service runs its own leave system separate from OPM. Here's how USPS FMLA actually works - forms, notice rules, sick leave limits, and where OPM does and doesn't apply.
Sun Life FMLA: How to File a Claim and What to Expect
Sun Life administers FMLA and disability claims for many employers through its Absence Management Solutions business. Here's how to file, what to expect, and how it affects your federal FMLA rights.
New York Life FMLA: How Absence Assist Handles Your Claim
New York Life Group Benefit Solutions administers FMLA, disability, and state leave claims for many employers through its Absence Assist program. Here's how filing actually works - and how it's different from New York State's paid leave program.
MetLife FMLA: How to File a Claim & What to Expect
MetLife administers FMLA and disability claims for many employers, but it doesn't create or change your federal FMLA rights. Here's how filing through MetLife actually works, and where MetLife's authority ends.
Is FMLA Paid? State-by-State Paid Family Leave vs. FMLA
FMLA is unpaid, but 13 states offer paid family leave that provides wage replacement during FMLA leave. Here's how FMLA and state PFL compare state by state.
How Long Is FMLA Leave? 12 Weeks Explained
FMLA provides 12 weeks of leave in a 12-month period. Here's how the 12 weeks are calculated, how the 12-month period is measured, and what happens if you need more time.
The Hartford FMLA: How Claims Work & How to File
The Hartford administers FMLA and disability leave claims for many employers. Here's what The Hartford actually controls, how to file a claim, and how the process interacts with your federal FMLA rights.
FMLA Stress Leave: Can You Take FMLA for Burnout?
FMLA covers stress leave from work when burnout has produced a diagnosed serious health condition. Here's the legal standard, the WH-380-E certification process, and what your doctor needs to document.
FMLA Through Sedgwick: Claims, Forms & Process
Sedgwick administers FMLA claims for Walmart and many other large employers. Here's how to file a claim through mySedgwick, what documentation Sedgwick requires, and how to check your status.
FMLA Paperwork: Forms WH-380-E, WH-380-F & WH-381 Explained
FMLA requires specific forms: WH-380-E for your own health condition, WH-380-F for a family member, and WH-381 for employer designation. Here's how to complete each one.
FMLA for Part-Time Employees: Do You Qualify?
Part-time employees can qualify for FMLA if they've worked 1,250 hours in the past 12 months - averaging about 24 hours per week. Here's how to check your eligibility.
FMLA for Family Members: Caring for Parents, Spouse & Children
FMLA lets you take up to 12 weeks off to care for a spouse, child, or parent with a serious health condition. Here's who qualifies as family and what care you can provide.
FMLA Eligibility: Who Qualifies & How to Check in 2026
FMLA eligibility requires 12 months of employment, 1,250 hours worked, and an employer with 50+ employees within 75 miles. Here's how to check if you qualify.
FMLA and Short-Term Disability: How They Work Together
FMLA protects your job while short-term disability pays you. Here's how FMLA and STD work together, how to file both claims, and what happens when benefits run out.
Department of Labor FMLA: Official Rules & Resources
The Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division enforces FMLA - it doesn't process individual leave requests. Here's what the DOL actually does, its official forms and guidance, and exactly how to file a complaint if your employer violates your rights.
Walmart LOA: How Sedgwick Handles Your Leave of Absence
Every Walmart leave of absence is filed and decided by Sedgwick, not your store. Here's exactly how to request medical, personal, intermittent, or military LOA, what documents to have ready, and what to do if Sedgwick denies your claim.
Amazon PTO Policy: Vacation, Sick Time & Paid Time Off
Amazon splits time off into three different buckets - and warehouse associates get a very different setup than corporate employees. Here's how Amazon PTO, vacation, and UPT actually work.
Military Parental Leave: Army, Navy, Air Force Policies
DoD-wide military parental leave gives service members 12 weeks of paid leave after a birth, adoption, or foster placement - the same entitlement across Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force. Here's how it actually works.
Companies with the Best Maternity Leave in 2026
Google pays 24 weeks, Amazon and Microsoft pay 20, and Deloitte gives every parent 16 weeks. Here's how the companies with the best maternity leave in 2026 actually compare, and what most workers get instead.
Google Parental Leave: What Googlers Get
Google pays birth parents for 24 weeks of leave and non-birth parents for 18 weeks, plus adoption and fertility benefits. Here's what's actually in the policy and how it fits with FMLA.
Deloitte Parental Leave: 16 Fully Paid Weeks for New Parents
Deloitte gives most U.S. employees 16 weeks of fully paid, gender-neutral parental leave - one of the most generous policies in professional services. But starting in 2027, it's being cut in half for employees in internal support roles. Here's what's actually guaranteed and how it works with FMLA.
Starbucks Parental Leave: Benefits for Starbucks Partners
Starbucks pays birth parents for 18 weeks of parental leave and non-birth parents for 12, both at 100% of average pay, once you clear the benefits-eligible hours threshold. Here's who qualifies and how to request it.
Walmart Maternity & Paternity Leave: What to Expect
Walmart pays birth mothers 9 weeks of maternity leave, then adds 6 weeks (hourly) or 12 weeks (salaried) of parental leave. Here's exactly how the pay, eligibility, and paternity leave rules break down.
Amazon Maternity Leave: What Amazon Employees Get
Amazon's own benefits page says birth parents get up to 20 weeks fully paid leave and partners get up to 6 weeks - the same for warehouse and corporate staff. Here's how that company policy stacks against FMLA and state paid leave.
CT Paid Leave Aflac: How to File Claims Through Aflac
CT Paid Leave Aflac claims go through a CT.gov account, not a standalone sign-up. Here's the exact filing process, the documents Aflac needs, and how long payment actually takes.
Rhode Island TCI: Temporary Caregiver Insurance Guide
Rhode Island TCI pays 60% of wages, up to $1,150/week, for 8 weeks of family leave. Here's how eligibility, benefits, and the strict 30-day filing deadline work.
Maine Paid Family Leave: ME PFML Benefits
Maine paid leave (ME PFML) replaces up to 90% of wages, capped at $1,249/week, for up to 12 weeks. Benefits began May 1, 2026 - here's who qualifies and how to apply.
Minnesota Paid Leave: MN Benefits & Eligibility
Minnesota Paid Leave pays up to 90% of wages (max $1,423/week) for up to 12 weeks of family or medical leave, 20 weeks combined. Here's who qualifies and how to apply.
Delaware Paid Leave: DE Benefits & Eligibility
Delaware Paid Leave pays 80% of wages, up to $900/week, for up to 12 weeks. See who qualifies, how the 10-24 vs. 25+ employee tiers work, and how to apply.
Maryland FAMLI: Paid Leave Starting 2027
Maryland FAMLI isn't paying benefits yet. Payroll contributions and benefit payments both start January 2027 under HB 102 - here's the real timeline and what to use for leave right now.
Oregon Paid Leave: Benefits, Eligibility & How to Apply
Oregon Paid Leave replaces up to 100% of wages for lower earners (max $1,692/week) for 12 weeks, at employers of any size. Here's who qualifies, the 30-day filing window, and how to apply.
Colorado FAMLI: Paid Family Leave in Colorado
Colorado FAMLI pays up to 90% of wages (max $1,448/week) for up to 12 weeks, and job protection applies no matter how small your employer is. Here's how eligibility, pay, and the application actually work.
CT Paid Leave: Complete Guide to Connecticut PFL
CT Paid Leave pays 95% of wages up to $1,016/week for 12 weeks - the highest replacement rate in the nation. Here's how CT Paid Leave benefits, eligibility, and CT FMLA job protection actually work together.
Massachusetts PFML: Paid Family Leave in MA
Massachusetts PFML pays up to 80% of wages (max $1,230/week) for up to 12 weeks of family leave, 20 weeks of medical leave, or 26 weeks combined. Here's how DFML benefits work and how to apply.
Washington Paid Family Leave 2026: WA PFML Benefits & Eligibility
Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave (WA PFML) pays up to 90% of wages (max $1,647/week) for up to 12 weeks per leave type, 16 combined. Every WA worker is eligible for benefits - there's no employer-size threshold.
New Jersey Family Leave Insurance: NJFLA & NJ FLI Guide
NJFLA protects your job for 12 weeks and NJ FLI pays 85% of wages (up to $1,119/week) while you're out. Here's how the two New Jersey family leave programs actually fit together, plus the 2026 employer-size change.
New York Paid Family Leave: Benefits, Pay & How to Apply
New York Paid Family Leave (NY PFL) pays 67% of your average weekly wage, up to $1,229/week, for 12 weeks - and covers every private-sector employee, no matter how small the company. Here's how eligibility, pay, and filing actually work.
California Paid Family Leave: CFRA, PFL Benefits & Eligibility
California Paid Family Leave pays 90% of wages (up to $1,765/week) for 8 weeks of bonding or caregiving leave. Paired with CFRA job protection and Pregnancy Disability Leave, California workers get the strongest leave stack in the country. Here's how the pieces actually fit.
PTO Accrual: How It Works & How to Calculate It
PTO accrual is how you earn paid time off gradually instead of getting it all at once. Here's how the math works, the four accrual methods employers use, and how caps and rollover rules affect your balance.
What Is PTO? Meaning, Definition & How It Works
PTO means paid time off - a single bank of paid hours you can use for vacation, sickness, or personal matters. Here's the exact definition, how accrual and unlimited PTO work, and whether any law actually requires it.
Leave of Absence: Meaning, Types & How to Request One
A leave of absence is an extended period away from work - mandatory (FMLA, USERRA) or voluntary, paid or unpaid, job-protected or not. Here's the meaning behind the term, every type, and how to request one.
Bereavement Leave: What It Is & What You're Entitled To
Bereavement leave meaning: paid or unpaid time off after a death in the family. No federal law requires it, but 5 states do. Here's what you're actually entitled to and how to request it.
Paternity Leave for Men: A Complete Guide for New Dads
Confused why a benefit called "maternity leave" would apply to men? It's a naming problem, not a legal one. Here's what paternity leave for men actually covers under FMLA and state law, and how to request it.
Paternity Leave for Fathers: What Dads Are Entitled To
Fathers have the same FMLA rights as mothers: 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave. Thirteen states also pay dads during bonding leave. Here's exactly what paternity leave for fathers covers, state by state.
Short-Term Disability for Pregnancy: Maternity Leave Pay
Short-term disability for pregnancy pays 50-90% of your wages during childbirth recovery. Here's how much each mandatory-STD state pays, how it stacks with FMLA and PFL, and how to file a claim.
Maternity Leave Pay: Do You Get Paid on Maternity Leave?
Maternity leave pay depends entirely on your state and employer - federal law alone doesn't pay you a cent. Here's the honest breakdown of the four ways new parents actually get paid, roughly how much each pays, and what to ask HR before you go.
Maternity Leave in America: What You're Actually Entitled To
American maternity leave has no federal paid-leave guarantee. Here's exactly what FMLA, state paid family leave, short-term disability, and employer policies actually give new mothers in 2026.
PFL Maternity Leave: How Paid Family Leave Covers New Moms
Thirteen states run Paid Family Leave programs that pay new moms for bonding leave - but the amount ranges from $900 to $1,765 a week. Here's what each state actually pays, sourced directly from state program data.
Paid Family Leave for Pregnancy: What Moms Need to Know
Paid leave for pregnancy is really two separate benefits: short-term disability for your physical recovery, and state Paid Family Leave for bonding time after. Here's how they fit together, state by state.
Intermittent FMLA: Complete Guide to Flexible Leave
Intermittent FMLA lets you take your leave entitlement in separate blocks instead of all at once. Here's how intermittent leave works, who qualifies, how to calculate your hours, and how to request it for medical care or family caregiving.
FMLA for Mental Health: Depression, Anxiety & Stress Leave
FMLA and mental health leave: how depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other diagnosed conditions qualify, what documentation you need, and how to request leave without oversharing.
Does FMLA Pay You? FMLA Pay & Benefits Explained
FMLA provides job-protected leave but does not pay you directly. Here's how to get paid during FMLA through state PFL programs, short-term disability, employer benefits, and accrued PTO.