Working Parents in Michigan

Michigan is getting poor marks when it comes to policies that support new working mothers and fathers. M-Live reports the National Partnership for Women and Families, a national advocacy group based in Washington D.C., has given Michigan a failing grade because the state lacks policies benefiting new parents beyond those already required by the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. Federal law requires that public and private companies with at least 50 workers within a 75 mile radius to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave during any year-long period to attend to a pregnancy, newborn or serious health condition of a family member. Michigan does not have specific laws concerning maternity leave for working parents. However, the state’s anti-discrimination law does protect pregnant women in the workplace and breastfeeding mothers.