By Laura Vanderkam, Fast Company

In recent years, a few well-capitalized companies (Google, Netflix, Facebook) have competed over who can offer the most generous parental leave. But these companies are rare; according to the Department of Labor, only 12% of private sector workers have access to paid family leave through their employers. One reason that figure is so low is that many Americans work for small businesses, and it’s assumed that small businesses can’t afford to fund time off.

Yet some small business managers and owners say that’s not so cut and dried. The finances and logistics aren’t easy, but they’re not impossible either.