Family Life

02.23.11 | Sarah Harnisch

   There's a new study out today that calls out the United States for its lack of paid parental leave. At least 178 countries have national laws guarenteeing paid leave for new mothers, but the United States and Switzerland were two major countries that didn't make the list. The report, called "Failing Its Families" takes direct aim at American laws. More then 50 countries also guarentee paid leave for new fathers. Instead, the U.S. has the 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act-- which enables workers with new children or seriously ill family members to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave. But by excluding companies with 50 or fewer employees, it covers only half the work force. In fact, only 10 percent of low income families qualify. Those behind the report say family values end at the workplace door.