Family and Medical Leave Act

Provided you are covered under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), you may take up to 12 weeks off (unpaid) when your baby is born. To be entitled to this benefit under FMLA, you need to have worked for a company for 12 months (including at least 1,250 hours of work) and work within 75 miles of 50 or more company employees. FMLA also mandates that you must notify your employer at least 30 days before your leave would begin. Some companies offer additional benefits, so be sure to speak with your HR representative when it’s time to make a plan.