Do Employers Need to Give Fathers Time Off for the Birth of a Child?

[caption id="attachment_1011" align="alignright" width="300"] Father Dressed For Work Holding Baby In Bedroom[/caption]

Many people may not associate time off for the birth of a child with the Father, but Dads need time off to be with their family in this life changing moment. According to a new website, Fatherly, an online resource for Dads, major companies in the last two years increased the average amount of paid leave for new fathers by 275 percent. Companies are required to provide unpaid time off leave for fathers by law.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Enacted in 1993, this law provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for the birth of a new child, the placement of a child into adoptive or foster care, taking care of an immediate family member with a serious health condition, or medical leave for a health condition of your own.

What Are the Qualifications for Coverage

Employees are covered by the FMLA if they have been working at their job for at least 12 months, worked at least 1,250 hours over the last 12 months, and their company has at least 50 employees within 75 miles of the workplace. The law applies to all public agencies and all public and private elementary and secondary schools. Texas law does not allow employers to require medical records to grant leave under the FMLA.

If your employer is denying you time off for the birth of a child or caring for a sick family member, they can face penalties from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Dallas Employment lawyer Dan A. Atkerson is experienced in providing employees benefits that have been illegally denied by their employers.