Parliament | The Maternity Leave Dilemma: Small Businesses Shouldering America's Burden
Let's cut to the chase: The U.S. maternity leave system is broken, and small businesses are picking up the slack.
At Hoot Design Company, we're not just talking about it—we're living it. And we're here to shake things up.
The Ugly Truth About Maternity Leave in America
Brace yourselves for some cold, hard facts:
The U.S. stands alone among industrialized nations without mandatory paid family leave. (OECD, 2022)
A measly 23% of private-sector workers have access to paid family leave. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021)
Only 40% of employers step up to offer paid maternity leave beyond legal requirements. (Society for Human Resource Management, 2020)
One in four women drag themselves back to work within two weeks of giving birth. Two weeks! (In These Times, 2015)
This isn't just a statistic—it's a national embarrassment.
Hoot's Maternity Leave Reality Check
This year, we're supporting three maternity leaves in our ten-person team. Here's what that looks like:
$26,000 out of our pocket
Short Term Disability insurance covering a paltry six weeks at 60%
We're making up the difference with 12 weeks at 70% pay
Add in freelance coverage, and the costs keep climbing
We're proud to offer this support, but let's be real—it's a hefty price tag for a small business like ours.
The Costs You Don't See (But We Feel)
Money's just the tip of the iceberg. We're talking:
Team burnout from covering absent colleagues
Productivity rollercoasters
David vs. Goliath battles against big corporations with deep pockets
Why We're Not Backing Down
This isn't just about keeping talent—it's about building a workplace that actually gives a damn about becoming your best self through work.
But here's the kicker: the current system is suffocating small businesses like us who are trying to do right by our people.
Small Businesses: The Unsung Heroes of America
Let's set the record straight:
We generate 44% of U.S. economic activity. (SBA Office of Advocacy, 2019)
We created 1.6 million net new jobs in 2019. (SBA Office of Advocacy, 2020)
68 cents of every dollar spent at a local business stays local. (Civic Economics, 2021)
We're not just businesses—we're the heartbeat of our communities (or so most politicians like to say).
The Domino Effect of Inadequate Leave
Buckle up, because the consequences are dire:
For Mothers:
Skyrocketing postpartum depression risk (Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law, 2019)
Career derailment (Center for American Progress, 2019)
87% say maternity leave affected their decision to return to work (Motherly, 2021)
For Children:
Breastfeeding rates plummet (Pediatrics, 2018)
Fewer check-ups and vaccinations (Journal of Health Economics, 2020)
For Families:
Financial stress through the roof (Pew Research Center, 2017)
In Missouri, 52% of white mothers and 85% of black mothers are the breadwinners in their families (we aren’t talking side hustles here, people)
Family relationships under siege (Journal of Marriage and Family, 2020)
Forcing women back to work too soon isn't just bad policy—it's a societal failure.
The "Solution" That's Not
Here's a genius idea we’ve heard: Don't hire women of childbearing age!
Spoiler alert: That's not just discriminatory and illegal—it's economic suicide. Women make up 47% of the U.S. workforce (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021). Cutting them out? That's like trying to run a marathon with one leg.
It's Time for a Revolution
Maternity leave shouldn't be a luxury—it should be a given. We're calling for:
Government-funded parental leave programs (Get with the program, America!)
Tax breaks for businesses offering real leave policies — this should be the bare minimum
Public-private partnerships to lift the weight off small businesses
We're All In, Are You?
At Hoot, we're not just talking—we're walking the walk. But we can't do it alone. We need a movement.
Your Move
It's time to create a business landscape that supports families without crushing small businesses. This isn't just about employees—it's about building a future where our communities and economy can actually thrive.
Let's make some noise.
Artwork by Nya McClain, article by Senior Art Director, Bri Thomas
This week we are shouting out Amber Vittoria.
Amber is an artist, poet, and author working in Los Angeles, California. We were originally put onto Amber through our client Massican, whom she did a collaboration with last year.
Something that recently caught our eye was Amber's extreme vulnerability regarding her recent product launch, the Feels Plush. She opened up about how this product is connected to her struggle with infertility and really gave an inside look into her journey.
Her sincere candor is something that rings so true to all of us here at Hoot. Give Amber a follow, you won't be disappointed.
