223. Do I Need a Parental Leave Policy If I Have a Small Team?

What happens when an employee tells you they’re expecting—and you don’t have a leave policy in place? Cue the panic. In this episode, we’re breaking down everything you need to know to confidently respond and support your team when it’s time for parental leave.

We’ll get into the basics of what’s legally required (spoiler: not much at the federal level), the states that do mandate paid leave, and the key decisions you need to make if you’re ready to offer more than the bare minimum. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to upgrade your current policy, you’ll learn how to design a plan that supports your employees and your business.

We also talk strategy: when to supplement state benefits, how to structure a phased return, and why a modern, inclusive policy is a powerful recruiting and retention tool. If you’ve been putting off writing a parental leave policy or just don’t know where to start—this one’s for you.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

[2:10] What is paid parental leave—and what’s required?

[4:35] Why most small businesses don’t fall under FMLA

[6:25] How state-mandated paid leave works (and where it’s required)

[9:40] Should you supplement state programs or offer your own plan?

[12:05] Business case for offering more than the minimum

[14:50] How to respond when you don’t have a policy yet

[17:25] Step-by-step to create your own leave policy

[20:00] Inclusive practices: moving away from “primary caregiver”

[22:15] Modern options: phased returns and flexibility

[24:30] Final takeaway: support your team through life’s big transitions

Mentioned in the episode:

• Last week’s episode with Lori Mihalich-Levin on preparing for parental leave and supporting working parents
• Learn more about federal leave laws: DOL on FMLA
• See if your state mandates paid family leave: National Partnership State Paid Leave Laws

Connect with Jackie:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackiemkoch/
• Learn more about hiring and HR templates: peopleprinciples.co

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