Home / Life San Francisco makes history with fully paid leave for new parents It’s time for the American government, to recognize paid parental leave as an investment in our future. By Elizabeth Tenety April 6, 2016 Rectangle Inside this article This week, San Francisco became the first American city to offer fully paid leave to all new parents. Table of Contents Toggle This week, San Francisco became the first American city to offer fully paid leave to all new parents. From the city that brought you Uber, Slack and One Kings Lane comes another new best friend for new parents: This week, San Francisco became the first American city to offer fully paid leave to all new parents. This new policy means that new parents can keep things strong on the home front when baby arrives—and stay employed and engaged at work, by mandating that businesses larger than 20 employees help cover 100% of wages during the time off. From the Associated Press report: The measure approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors will give new mothers and fathers six weeks of fully paid time off, a rarity now offered to some government sector workers and some private employees, particularly those who work in the tech industry. The measure now guarantees full pay for six weeks after the birth or adoption of a child—and can be accessed by mothers and fathers, as well as same-sex couples. Few American mothers have access to paid maternity leave. The federal government only requires that women be prevented from losing their job during up to 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave—but not that they get paid time off to recover from childbirth and bond. While the San Francisco measure is a start, leaving the issue to a patchwork of local regulations is not enough. It’s time for the American government, at all levels, to recognize paid parental leave for what it truly is—an investment in the long-term physical, social and mental health of our most precious natural resource—our children and families. Join Motherly and get a free, inspiring week-by-week guide to new motherhood delivered to your inbox. Categories: Life, News Inside this article This week, San Francisco became the first American city to offer fully paid leave to all new parents. Related articles Parental Leave “I’m not ready”: Mom’s heartbreaking video on returning to work after maternity leave hits home February 10, 2025 Motherly Stories I had my baby abroad, and this is what the U.S. is getting wrong October 8, 2024 Work & Motherhood Flowers are great, but here’s what moms really want for Mother’s Day April 28, 2024 Parental Leave California’s new law allows mothers to take 5 days off for ‘reproductive loss’ October 30, 2023 Motherly Stories Moms are the ‘default parent’ because society doesn’t give us any other option August 30, 2022