In partnership with Georgetown Center for Poverty & Inequality, PL+US recognizes that not all leave is created equal for all people. Unfortunately, the lowest-paid working families are hit the hardest when forced to take a leave of absence from work. Low-income earners simply can't afford to take time off, which explains why 25 percent of working women return to work within two weeks of giving birth.
Great paid family leave policies are EQUAL. Policies should apply equally to all employees and to all parents . Note that a great policy does not include outdated distinctions of 'primary' and 'secondary' caregiving that serve to perpetuate gender biases at home and in the workplace. Great family caregiving policies include LGBTQ families and other non-traditional families by including chosen family in their benefit.
Which is why I believe companies should do away with maternity leave altogether. Maternity leave, as coveted as it is, positions the birthing mother as the leave recipient and presumably appoints her as the primary caretaker. Except that's simply not the case.