I'm Not Coming in Today. I Have a Family.

If you live in New Jersey or Washington, today is your lucky day! Starting in 2009, you are going to be able to receive paid family leave. The government in these two states and California will pay employees wages when they need to take time off for family circumstances. However, if you don’t live in any of these three states, your employer may offer paid leave anyway.

Up until last month, California was the only state that had paid family leave within their legislation books—allowing employees to take up to 4 weeks off in a 12-month period. Washington employees will be allowed to take up to 5 weeks off, while New Jersey employees will be allowed to take up to 6 week off. Looks like we’ll be moving to New Jersey!

We think a paid family leave is great! With paid family leave, you won’t have to worry about rushing back to work after a baby. It would be nice if every state paid you while you took care of your newborn, but don’t worry because a handful of other states are working to get their paid family leave bill passed as soon as possible.

Any news from your state on paid family leave? Does your employer offer it?

[MSNBC]