Paternity leave in New Jersey refers to the time off that a father takes from work after the birth or adoption of a child. It is specifically designed to allow fathers to bond with their new child and support their partner during the transitional period. Paternity leave in NJ is covered under the Family Leave Act (FLA), allowing workers to take time off without fear of losing their job or facing discrimination. The state of New Jersey offers two types of paternity leave: unpaid leave and paid leave. Unpaid leave is provided under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) which guarantees eligible employees up to 12 weeks of job-protected, unpaid leave for specific family and medical reasons, including the birth or adoption of a child. This means that eligible fathers can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid paternity leave to spend time with their newborn or newly adopted child. In addition to unpaid leave, New Jersey also offers paid paternity leave through the Family Leave Insurance (FLY) program. FLY provides temporary disability insurance benefits to eligible employees who need to take parental leave to bond with a new child or care for a sick family member. Under the FLY program, eligible fathers can receive up to 6 weeks of paid leave, receiving a percentage of their average weekly wage during the leave period. To be eligible for paternity leave in NJ, employees must have worked for the same employer for at least 12 months and have accumulated at least 1,000 base hours in the preceding 12-month period. They also need to have contributed to the state disability insurance program through payroll deductions. Taking paternity leave in New Jersey allows fathers to actively participate in the care and upbringing of their child, promoting strong family bonds and gender equality. It provides fathers with the opportunity to be involved from the very beginning, contributing to their child's emotional development while allowing mothers to recover, and facilitating a balanced parenting approach. In summary, paternity leave in NJ allows fathers to take time off work after the birth or adoption of their child. There are two types of paternity leave available in New Jersey: unpaid leave offered under the FMLA and paid leave provided through the FLY program. Both options aim to support fathers in bonding with their new child and embracing their role as caregivers and nurturers. Eligibility criteria apply to ensure employees meet specific requirements to access paternity leave benefits.