You are “entitled” to 12 weeks.

However, I think MA is still an “at will” employment state…and I personally know a lot of new dads who got laid off shortly after they came back from leave.

“Oh but that’s illegal! Employers can’t do that!”

Except they do.

They will offer a severance package that comes with a non-disparagement/confidentially/waiver clause….and so these dads are forced to choose between 3-6 months pay and keeping their resume intact, or trying to sue a huge employer, spending tens of thousands on a lawsuit that has low odds of success because the employer will smear the hell out of them with “he was a poor performer” claims. Then - win or lose - the dad gets to enjoy having a “litigious reputation” follow him around when he looks for new jobs. (Similar to being a whistleblower. Prepare for career suicide).

TLDR: check the pulse of your employer before taking 12-weeks of leave. Some are very accommodating. Some less so. It sucks that all employers aren’t required to truly respect family leave.