Although there are laws that provide for protected time off when people have a child, unfortunately, none of those laws require employers to pay employees, when they are on that leave. However, there are ways in which parents can ensure that they have, at least partial wage replacement, when they are on that leave. One of the easiest ways to get paid time off, is to use accrued sick and vacation time that you may have earned before your leave began. Another way in which people can have paid time off with their leave is if their company voluntarily has a paid maternity or paternity leave policy. A lot of progressive employers understand that this is a financially challenging time for people as they welcome a new baby into their family, and they do offer some portion of pay for that leave, even though the law does not require it. Another way that people can get paid leave, is by seeing if the state in which they live offers paid benefits during this time. There are many states that offer paid benefits when a person is disabled due to pregnancy or related condition, or during a time when parents are bonding with their children.