Topic: Family and Medical Leave Act

Modern Parenthood Parental leave global comparison: US still among least generous

Parental leave policies that guarantee new moms leave with income are available in 169 countries – the US is not among them, showed a study by Harvard and McGill Universities.

Progress Watch Gender pay gap is eroding, especially among younger women, US data show

Women are slowly making inroads in the gender pay gap. Recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data for full-time workers show women earn 82 percent as much as men, up from 64 percent in 1980.

Modern Parenthood Childcare: It’s about costly necessity not 'having it all,' study suggests

Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer's short maternity leave aside, childcare accessibility and affordability is, for hundreds of thousands of American moms, where the conversation about going back to work begins and not in a boardroom discussion of motherhood philosophy and "having it all."

Modern Parenthood Marissa Mayer: Take longer maternity leave – for yourself and us

An open letter to Marissa Mayer: Congrats on the job as Yahoo's new CEO. But maybe reconsider your plan to take only a couple of weeks of maternity leave.

Robert Reich Mitt Romney's skewed praise of Bill Clinton

Mitt Romney has been praising Bill Clinton even as he heaps scorn on Obama, trying to associate himself with someone more popular and court the white male vote. It might backfire.

Top 10 states for working moms

Mother's Day companies? That's what you could call workplaces that help moms meet their family commitments. Those companies can be located anywhere. But some states do better than others in mandating a level of standards beyond the federal minimum in the form of paid family leave, job protection, and “right to nurse” laws. In honor of Mother’s Day, here are the Top 10 states that best support new working mothers, according to the National Partnership for Women and Families. Can you guess which state gets the highest marks?

Focus Share of working moms nearing all-time high, but has it gotten any easier?

The percentage of mothers in the workforce is nearing record highs, leading to more societal acceptance and childcare options, but mothers still face a 'mommy wage gap' and other challenges.

Does Supreme Court decision on sick leave hint at health-care law ruling?

The sick leave provision and health-care law rely on different sections of the Constitution, but Supreme Court-watchers noted with interest that the justices found Congress had overstepped its authority.

Stuck with student loan with variable rate? Shop around.

Student loan has a low interest rate. But if it's variable, it pays to lock in that student loan with a fixed rate. Question No. 1 of the reader mailbag.

Why the film industry chose former Sen. Chris Dodd to run the MPAA

Former Sen. Christopher Dodd is the new chairman and CEO of the film industry's MPAA, taking a position filled for four decades by the flamboyant Jack Valenti.

Global leadership: Voters launch a power surge of women

Brazil's President-elect Dilma Rousseff is the latest in a power surge of women in global leadership positions.

Thinking about another (temporary) life change

Opinion: Is Canada more pro-family than America?

Canadian families get generous parental leave, childcare subsidies, and guaranteed healthcare. Critics claim America can’t afford to follow suit, but it’s increasingly clear that it can’t afford not to.

School flu closings put working moms in a bind

Obama urges that schools with confirmed or suspected cases suspend classes. Mexican schools have already taken that step.

Will high court make age-bias lawsuits easier or harder to win?

A case the justices heard Tuesday offers them an opportunity to decide the standard for proving illegal discrimination.

Maternity leave: Expectant moms wait 'til the last minute

With no US laws requiring paid leave, more mothers stay on the job longer, saving time off until after the baby arrives.