Pregnancy and Parental Leave Policy
(with Acknowledgment)

Summary

This template is a non-jurisdictional pregnancy and parental leave policy (with acknowledgment). Employers may include this policy in an employee handbook or distribute it as a standalone policy. This template includes practical guidance, drafting notes, and alternate and optional clauses. It is the template for our state pregnancy and parental leave policies and has not been tailored for any jurisdiction. Use this template alone or customize it for one or more jurisdictions. This policy is intended for private employers. For a checklist concerning pregnancy and parental leave (also called parenting leave), see Pregnancy and Parental Leave Policy Checklist. In addition to pregnancy and parental leave protections under federal law, some states require employers to provide paid or unpaid pregnancy and parental leave. For information on these state laws, see the Family, Medical, Sick, Pregnancy, and Military Leave column in Attendance, Leaves, and Disabilities State Practice Notes Chart. For a full listing of key content covering leaves for employees, see Leaves for Employees Resource Kit. For a full listing of key content covering employee handbook considerations, see Employee Handbook Resource Kit. For information on reasonable accommodations for pregnant or lactating workers under the Americans with Disabilities Act, see Americans with Disabilities Act: Guidance for Employers. For information about protections for lactating employees under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (which amended Section of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)) (29 U.S.C. § 207(r)), see Lactation/Breastfeeding Policy, Compensable Time (FLSA) — Lactation / Nursing Accommodation / Breastfeeding Breaks, and Rest Break and Meal Period Policies (Including Break Time for Nursing Mothers): Key Drafting Tips. For information on state law requirements for break time for nursing mothers, see the Compensable Time column of Wage and Hour State Practice Notes Chart. For information on state law requirements concerning school-related leave, see the Other Leaves column of Attendance, Leaves, and Disabilities State Practice Notes Chart.