Eight states and Washington, D.C., have paid family leave programs funded through payroll taxes. But a similar bill in blue-state Colorado is being watered down.
The growth in paid parental leave has largely left out hourly employees. But the Hilton hotel chain this year extended it to all its workers. Demand by millennial employees helped drive the decision.
Out of 193 countries in the United Nations, the U.S. is one of a small handful that do not have a national paid parental leave law. Most of the world reached a standard on this issue decades ago.
Tricia Olson gave birth to her son and was back on the job three weeks later. Like most Americans, she doesn't get paid family leave, and she's among the 40 percent who don't qualify for unpaid leave.