But the law stipulates only that up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave be granted, provided the employee has worked at least 25 hours per week for 50 weeks. But the law only applies to businesses with at least 50 employees, and those employees must work within 75 miles of the new dad's work site. Consequently, many employees of small businesses may be out of luck. The good news is, qualifying dads may take the leave in the first 12 months following a birth or adoption, and weeks of leave my be taken intermittently. This would allow many families to extend the time parents spend at home with a newborn, particularly in cases where the mother must eventually return to work.
Some men opt to begin their leave where their wives' leaves off.
In any event, the decision is up to you as a new dad. Most men, especially first-time fathers, experience at least some degree of nervousness regarding the prospect of caring for a newborn . Few men arrive at this crossroads with any great degree of preparation, either practical or psychological. But the benefits of spending intensive quality time with one's baby can't be overemphasized. Research has shown that men who spend time bonding with their newborns tend to remain more involved in the lives of their children, and that their children benefit in turn from increased involvement on the part of their fathers.