California’s Paid Family Leave program was launched more than 20 years ago. Men accounted for just 15 percent of all bonding claims at the time.
Now that figure has risen to 43 percent.
"California was first in the nation to have that program, which was a great benefit for fathers and mothers as well, but fathers especially [it] gives them an opportunity to take some time off from work and still be paid while they bond with their new child," said Greg Lawson, with the Employment Development Department.
Ahead of Father's Day on Sunday, Lawson said that Paid Family Leave supports new fathers or those providing care to family members.
"They can either be a newborn child, they can be an adopted child, or even a foster child. Men have the opportunity to get that benefit. If you look on your pay stub, you'll be able to see that CASDI, and it gives you an opportunity to be eligible for it."
