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Comment by noxToken | Hacker News Reader

US based only:

I know it's not PTO, but there are certain qualifying events that allow you to take extended leave from work without repercussion. It includes childbirth and medical conditions where a family member needs care. It's the Family Medical Leave Act[0]. The shitty part is that it's unpaid, so if you can't afford to take 1/2/3 month(s) of absence without pay, it's useless to you.

[0]: https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/benefits-leave/fmla

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The FMLA also allows your employer to require you to use PTO before unpaid leave, so you don't have the option to save your PTO for an actual vacation after your medical leave.

I don't know about other states, but California provides up to 6 weeks of Paid Family Leave. "Benefit amounts range from $50 to $1,173 per week and represent about 55 percent of your previous weekly earnings (maximum reimbursement amount is $1,173 per week)."

http://edd.ca.gov/Disability/About_PFL.htm

I wish it were longer, and I wish it paid more, and I wish it were federal, but it's better than nothing.

In many states employment is "at will" for both parties (employee & employer). I suspect that companies/managers who refuse any work-from-home and require you to use PTO for those dental visits would find a way to terminate employees soon after they return from FMLA.

>and work at a location where the company employs 50 or more employees within 75 miles

Well, I work for a small MSP, so... unfortunately the government screwed me. Surprise, surprise. Either way, unpaid paternity leave is still ridiculous, no other country in the world does that that I'm aware of.

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