[mikester]

A good company will take care of employees knowing exactly what you stated; Happy employees mean good employees.

In California things are not equal for men and women but they are likely closer than they are anywhere else.

My wife got 12 weeks paid leave through the state's Disability insurance. For 6 of it her employer paid the difference which they are not at all in any way required to do. For the full 12 weeks her job was guaranteed by the Family Medical Leave act. Which covers almost everyone unless you're a key stone in the company or a company with very few employees.

So; In CA you're covered by two sets of laws. The California State Disability laws and insurance and the Federal FMLA act.

For men, CA gives the 6 weeks paid leave (it's not full pay for anyone I think its a $728 max) to bond with a newborn or newly adopted child. When we had ours I made the mistake of trying to work with my boss and instead of just taking the time off through the disabiltity program I worked part time from home for half ot it and took the rest as vacation and sick time. Granted I got paid but at that point the money isn't so much the issue as the time with my child was. I found it very difficult to get the work I needed to get done, done. I didn't feel like I did a good job at it and I wouldn't do it again or ask someone else to do it. In either side of the situation I would do my best to make sure that I worked it out as best I could but I'd be taking the time the laws say I can and make sure that my employees have that option as well (as long as they can afford it).

Given the opportunity - the right thing to do is just that. Children are raised in a villiage - not just in the homes. Supporting parents helps them be better parents.