Paid parental leave: What to know about Georgia
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Paid family leave is still not mandated in Georgia, but new laws across the country are expanding access to benefits for expecting and new parents.
Why it matters: Studies have shown parental leave can lower the risk of developing postpartum depression and can provide better interactions between the birthing parent and child.
The big picture: As of July 1, eligible state government employees in Georgia qualify for 12 weeks of paid leave.
- The U.S. offers 12 weeks of job-protected, unpaid family leave for some employees, but doesn't have a paid federal parental leave policy.
- Meanwhile, most countries guarantee paid maternity leave and paid paternity leave.
The latest: Pregnant people are now entitled to "reasonable accommodations," such as the ability to telework and take time off for health care appointments, thanks to the Pregnancy Workers Fairness Act.
- And because of the PUMP Act, breastfeeding parents are entitled to break time and a private place to pump (that's not the bathroom).
State of play: More Atlanta moms are going back to work less than a year after giving birth, census data released last year show.
- About 68% of women who gave birth in 2022 were at work within a year, a 4% increase from 2010.
- For comparison, 67% of U.S. women who gave birth went to work less than a year later in 2022.
Between the lines: Without statewide requirements, there are two main ways to get wage replacement in Georgia during parental leave, and they can be combined:
- Through your employer: Only about 27% of Americans working in the private sector have access to paid family leave when they welcome a new child, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Women's Bureau.
- From short-term disability, if you're a birthing parent: Workers could have the option to purchase short-term disability insurance as an add-on before they're pregnant.
What we're watching: With paid leave laws set to go into effect in 2026 in Delaware, Maine, Maryland and Minnesota, we'll see if there's any movement in the Peach State.
Go deeper: How to determine your paid family leave plan