SMA Announces New Expanded Family Leave Benefits

SMA America is proud to show our commitment to working families by announcing our new Paid Family Leave benefits for full-time employees. We are excited to extend this benefit to our devoted team as an investment in the well-being of their families.  

Supporting Families with 12 Weeks of Fully Paid Leave

Beginning July 1, 2024, the Paid Family Leave benefit allows for 12 weeks of fully paid leave that can be used by parents following birth, adoption or foster care placement. This leave will run concurrently with Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Short-Term Disability (STD). This benefit will be inclusive of all family units including both birthing and non-birthing parents.  

A Culture of Support: Quotes from Our Leadership

“We understand that career planning and family planning are deeply intertwined,” said Jeppe Johansen, Managing Director of SMA America. “Our leaders strive to advance a culture where employees feel supported to bring their full selves to work and create a life-work balance that allows them to thrive professionally and personally.” 

This short-term disability plan and top-up pay are an important step towards our larger goal of providing comprehensive support to our employees during these important life events. By offering these benefits, we can create a more inclusive and supportive work environment for all.  

The expansion of benefits is at no cost to our employees and does not result in premium increases.  

Addressing a National Gap in Paid Family Leave

The Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research reports that “the United States is one of only a handful of countries in the world without any national paid family leave policy for new parents, and the only high-income country without one. Moreover, only 14 percent of American private sector workers have access to PFL through their employers.” 

New Paid Family Leave Transition Policy

In addition to the Paid Family Leave benefit, SMA America has also created a Paid Family Leave Transition policy to best support our employees in their transition in and out of the workforce. This policy will focus on flexible working hours and remote work options to support the employee and their family.  

Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Life-Work Balance

Implementing an expanded Paid Family Leave benefit represents a significant milestone in our efforts to build a culture of diversity and inclusion while demonstrating our commitment to life-work balance and employee well-being. Family planning is career planning, and while we are just scratching the surface, we look forward to continuing our efforts to support our employees in both their personal and professional endeavors.  

Learn More: Contact Our HR Team

For more information on Paid Family Leave please email HRGeneralMailbox@SMA-America.com