Payroll & Employees

There is no federal law in the United States that guarantees paid family leave to workers in the private sector. That makes the U.S. an outlier among developed nations. The only federal protection — the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) — provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave, and even that doesn't cover everyone. The rest depends on which state you live in, what your employer offers, and whether you qualify.

The minimum wage in the USA is set to increase again in several states in 2026. This article provides an overview of the expected changes and their impact on workers and businesses.