The United States is the only first world country to not offer a paid maternity leave program. FMLA offers 12 weeks unpaid job protection, for companies that fall under specific criteria, however, women are forced to use short term disability, vacation time, or company good will to get them through some, if not all of the 12 weeks.
The financial impact on American workers of having little or no paid family leave after childbirth is substantial. Most families are placed under serious financial constraint when forced to choose between staying home with a newborn, or going back to work in order to not go into debt. Some women make the hard decision to go back to work before it is medically advised for them and/or the newborn.
Sign this petition if you agree we need a Paid Maternity Bill!