Stryker Worker Appeal Puts Focus on Early Leave for Child Birth

Stryker Corp.'s defense of its court victory over a Florida employee fired while in Connecticut for his child’s birth will test when workers can take federal job-protected leave prior to a baby’s arrival.

The argument Friday before the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit involves a novel issue under the Family and Medical Leave Act’s provision on leave for the birth of a child. The judges will review whether non-pregnant parents can take job-protected leave in advance of the expected due date for reasons unrelated to prenatal care.

The Eleventh Circuit ruling’s consequences will likely fall most often ...