The FMLA allows new parents to take up to 12 weeks unpaid or accrued/earned paid leave to care for a new child. To qualify, the employee must have worked for the employer for at least 12 months. In addition, employers are required to keep the employee’s job open for the same period that they would for workers who go on sick leave or disability. In other words, if company policy states that employees who are on temporary leave for disability or sickness receive six weeks pay, this must also apply to pregnant employees. Companies are also prohibited from have policies that disallow employees from returning to work for specified lengths of time after giving birth.