American Airlines adds maternity, adoption benefits to employees’ plans

American Airlines employees who are parents will be offered 2 new benefits beginning March 1 — a post-pregnancy maternity/short-term disability plan, and an adoption assistance program, the carrier said Wednesday. American Airlines’ new short-term disability plan will offer, at no cost to employees, up to 10 weeks off to recover from pregnancy and delivery, paid at 100% of their base pay. The new adoption assistance program will offer up to US$4,000 in expense reimbursements related to adoptions, as well as air travel for qualifying employees. The benefits will be offered beginning March 1 to all US-based employees, whether they are represented by a union or not. American is making the resources available after hearing repeatedly from workers that the company needs more modern resources for new parents. <br/>