In most countries, paid parental leave (typically maternity leave) is available for those who have worked for their current employer for a certain period of time.[1] National laws vary widely according to the politics of each jurisdiction.
1) Parental leave policies- Assists parents that are employed prior to giving birth in order to remain at home for a period of time so that they are able to care for their own the child. 2) Child care policies- Parents get assistance in non parental care for the child by subsidizing whatever type of care the parents select, or parents public programs. "Child care programs serve both working and non-working parents" 3) Early childhood benefits- is the newest policy, this policy supports parents in their every day care of their child. "The benefits by the government are cash grants that can be use to cover the costs of caring for and infant or toddler" [2]
Only four countries have no national law mandating paid time off for new parents: Liberia, Papua New Guinea, Swaziland, and the United States.[3] In the U.S., the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) mandates up to 12 weeks of (potentially unpaid) job-protected leave, including parental leave, for many American workers. Subnational laws also vary; for example the U.S. state of California does mandate paid family leave, including parental leave for same-sex partners.
Legal requirements for parental leave benefits do not always reflect actual practice. In some countries with relatively weak requirements, individual employers choose to provide benefits beyond those required by law. In some countries, laws requiring parental leave benefits are widely ignored in practice.[citation needed]
A large majority of countries provide more than 10 paid weeks maternity leave. Only four provide none. “164 countries give women paid leave with the birth of a child”. [4]. Parental leave is important not only for the mother but for the father as well. Paid leave gives parents the time to provide great prenatal and postnatal care, lowers accident rates and allows a great sense of bonding (Pacheco, Graaf, Pacheco & Graaf, 2007). [5]This will give the family the opportunity to unite, relax, and be together as a family before work and family spill over is introduced. According to Motherhood Manifesto, paid family leave will help out the company by saving money on training and recruitment. This will lead to higher job satisfaction and in return will lead to better work productivity (Pacheco, Graaf, Pacheco & Graaf, 2007). [6].
“12% of companies offered paid maternity leave according to a survey in 2000 by the national Partnership of Woman and Families”. [7]“Paid family leave is shown to benefit employers by saving them costs of recruitment and training due to high employee turnover, and leading to greater job satisfaction which then translates to higher worker productivity”. [8]
Central European countries are the most dedicated countries in the world regarding parental leave, contrary to the wishes of international companies doing business there.[citation needed] In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, it is standard that mothers stay at home for 3 years with every child. All mothers can decide to take 2, 3 or 4 years of maternity leave. It is also possible for the fathers to take the leave instead of the mothers but it is not common. For the whole period mothers are supported by the state. Also, in Slovakia the standard duration of parental leave is 3 years; for a child with a disability it is up to 6 years. The state pays support of 256 Euros per month for the child's first 2 years. After this period it is 164.22 Euros per month.[citation needed] A similar model is also used in Austria where mothers can choose between 1 and 3 years.
| Country |
Paid maternity leave |
Paid maternity (% of annual) |
Paid paternity leave |
Unpaid maternity leave |
Unpaid paternity leave |
Restrictions |
| Albania |
1 year 80% before birth and 150 days, 50% for the rest |
62% |
|
|
|
|
| Austria |
16 weeks 100% |
31% |
between 1 and 3 years depending on chosen payment (percentage of last income for one year; ca. €436/month for three years) |
|
|
|
| Belarus |
126 days 100% |
35% |
|
|
|
|
| Belgium |
15 weeks 82% for 30 days, 75% thereafter |
77% |
3 days, 100 % by employer + 7 days, 82% paid out by health insurance fund |
|
|
|
| Bulgaria |
1 year 100%; 2nd year at min salary |
130% |
father or a grandparent can take the maternity leave instead of the mother |
6 months to be used until the child turns 8 |
6 months to be used until the child turns 8 |
|
| Cyprus |
16 weeks 75% |
23% |
|
|
|
|
| Czech Republic |
28 weeks (6-8 weeks before birth) ~70%; & parental leave up to 2/3/4 years of age of the child (approx. 633/422/211$ a month). Can be taken by either of the parents or by both at the same time (but only one will receive the monetary support). |
38% |
|
|
|
|
| Denmark |
52 weeks. 18 to be taken by the mother, 2 weeks by the father, the rest as they see fit. |
100% |
2 weeks of the 52 weeks paid leave is reserved for the father. |
|
|
| Estonia |
140 days (100%), 154 days in the case of multiple birth or medical complications[12] |
38% |
14 days, expires after 6 months after child's birth |
3 years |
3 years |
Unpaid maternity/paternity leave can be used by only one parent at a time |
| Finland |
105 days 80%, followed by share of 158 days with father |
58% |
18 days, can share 158 days with mother after maternity leave |
Until child turns 3 |
Until child turns 3 |
|
| France |
16 weeks (100%) rising to 26 weeks (100%) for third child |
31% |
3 days + 11 consecutive days |
Share of 104 weeks (2 years) with father |
Share of 104 weeks (2 years) with mother |
|
| Germany |
14 weeks (100%) 6 before birth, 12/14 months (65%, but not more than 1.800 Euro/month) (14 only for single mothers) |
84% |
12/14 months (65%, but not more than 1.800 Euro/month) (14 only for single fathers) |
Share of 156 weeks (3 years) with father |
Share of 156 weeks (3 years) with mother |
Must have public health insurance for part of paid leave, rest of paid leave paid by employer |
| Greece |
119 days 100% |
33% |
2 days |
|
|
|
| Hungary |
24 weeks 100%, plus gets all paid leaves accumulated under the 3 years unpaid maternity leave, which means a 2-4 months paid leave at the end of this period. |
46% |
Five days; can share with mother (after child is over 1 year old) |
3 years |
|
|
| Iceland |
90 days 80% (based on total salary over a 12 month period ending 6 months before the birth). Max. monthly payment for 2008: Íkr535,700 (around €4,500, $6,500 at exchange rates in August 2008); min. monthly payment for 2008: Íkr103,869 (around €870, $1,250)
+ 90 days to be shared freely between the parents[13]
|
39% |
As for the mother |
13 weeks |
13 weeks |
Parents must have been working for a period of 6 months prior to taking the leave. Parental leave can be taken at any time during the first 18 months of the baby's life. |
| Ireland |
26 weeks (6 months) (100%) |
50% |
0 |
16 (4 months) weeks that can be shared with father |
16 (4 months) weeks that can be shared with mother |
|
| Italy |
22 weeks (5 months) (80%) 2 before birth |
34% |
13 weeks (3 months) (80%) |
Maximum 26 weeks (6 months) (total for both parents maximum 44 weeks (10 months)) |
Maximum 30 weeks (7 months) (total for both parents maximum 44 weeks (10 months)) |
For paid leave, job contract must include social contributions (INPS) |
| Latvia |
112 days, 100% |
31% |
10 calendar days |
|
|
|
| Liechtenstein |
8 weeks 80% |
12% |
|
|
|
|
| Lithuania |
1 year 100% or 2 years: 52 weeks 70% and 52 weeks 40% (either mother or father can take it or take the leave in shifts) |
100% or 110% |
1 month |
|
|
|
| Luxembourg |
16 weeks 100%, maternity leave. Additional 12months (split into two 6 months periods) parental leave to be taken by either parent paid as a fixed rate of €1,710.90 net per month from the CNPF (Caisse Nationale des Prestations Familiales). |
31% |
12months parental leave (split into two 6 months periods) to be taken by either parent, paid as a fixed rate of €1,710.90 net per month from the CNPF (Caisse Nationale des Prestations Familiales). |
|
|
The first 6 month block must be taken immediately after maternity leave ends, the second 6 month block must be taken before the child's 5th birthday. |
| Malta |
14 weeks 100% |
27% |
2 days 100% |
|
|
|
| Netherlands |
16 weeks 100% |
31% |
2 days 100% |
26 weeks |
26 weeks |
Unpaid leave for children under 8. For unpaid leave a parent has to have worked for an employer for over 1 year. The government gives all parents that use unpaid parental leave, through tax breaks, 50% of the national minimum wage. Employers have the possibility to provide a payment on their own discretion. Payment for parental leave can also be set at the collective labour agreements. |
| Norway |
56 weeks (13 months) (80%) or 46 weeks (10.5 months) (100%) - mother must take at least 3 weeks immediately before birth and 6 weeks immediately after birth, father must take at least 12 weeks (the so-called "daddy quota") - the rest can be shared between mother and father. |
86% |
12 weeks of the 56/46 weeks paid leave is reserved for the father. If he does not take these 12 weeks, they will be lost as they can not be transferred to the mother. |
The mother can also take an extra full year of unpaid leave after the paid period ends. |
The father can also take an extra full year of unpaid leave after the paid period ends. In addition, the father is entitled to take two weeks unpaid leave directly before or after birth (many fathers are paid for these weeks by their employers). |
To gain the right to paid leave for herself and the father, the mother must have worked for 6 of the last 10 months before birth, or the leave is unpaid (except for a lump sum benefit from the government) |
| Poland |
16–18 weeks 100% |
35% |
7 days 100% (14 days since 2011) |
up to 3 years, may be split. |
|
|
| Portugal |
120 days 100% or 150 days 80% |
33% |
15 days 100% |
Five days plus two weeks. |
|
Of the maternity leave, 6 weeks is compulsory. The father may take the rest of the time the mother would have been entitled to. |
| Romania |
126 days (42 compulsory to be taken after birth) paid 85% + 85%, but not lower than 600 RON and not more than 4000 RON, until the baby reaches 2 years of age (3 for a disabled baby). |
85% |
126 days, instead of the mother, paid 85% + 85%, but not lower than 600 RON and not more than 4000 RON, until the baby reaches 2 years of age (3 for a disabled baby) OR Five days plus 10 more days if the father has taken a child care course (these 10 days are given only once, so not for every child). All 15 days must be taken within the first 8 weeks since the birth of the baby. |
|
|
Must have worked 12 months in the previous year. |
| Russia |
140-194 days (before birth: 70 days, or 84 days if multiple pregnancy; after birth: 70 days, or 86 days in case of complications, or 110 days if multiple birth)[14] 100% but not less the minimum salary multiplied by "north region value" (1 to 2.0) if they work full-time (40 hours or legal maximum);
followed by: up to 18 months after birth - 2,194.33-13,833.33[15] RUB for the first child, 4,388.67-13,833.33 RUB for any subsequent child, but not exceeding 100% and not less the summary minimum multiplied by "north region value"[16] (could be shared with father, grandparents, guardians or actual caregivers of the child). In radiation-risk zones is doubled (there is no special restriction) and paid up to 36 month.
|
53% |
instead of the mother: up to 18 months after birth - 2,194.33-13,833.33[17] RUB for the first child, 4,388.67-13,833.33 RUB for any subsequent child, but not exceeding 100% and not less the summary minimum multiplied by "north region value" |
up to 18 months (1.5–3 years after birth), could be shared with father, grandparents, guardians or actual caregivers of the child |
up to 18 months (1.5–3 years after birth), could be shared with mother, grandparents, guardians or actual caregivers of the child |
50 additional rub are to be paid by employer outside the 100% period from the year 2011 is cumulative payments from the 2 previous year and divided by 730; the payments are limited to minimum salary if the mother/caregivers didn't work or get the payment ill for any 6 month |
| Slovenia |
12 months 100% |
100% |
11 days |
|
|
|
| Spain |
16 weeks 100% |
31% |
15 days: the day of birth and the next day. The rest, 13 days: anytime during the maternity leave of the mother. Up to 15 days of the mother's leave can be taken by the father (if the father takes all 15 days, the mother only has 97 days to take off instead of the full 4 months (112 days)) |
Up to 3 years. |
|
|
| Sweden |
480 days (16 months) (77.6% (80% of 97%) up to a ceiling the first 390 days, 90 days at flat rate) - shared with father (dedicated 60 days) |
82% |
480 days (16 months) (77.6% (80% of 97%) up to a ceiling the first 390 days, 90 days at flat rate) - shared with mother (dedicated 60 days) + 10 working days in connection with the child's birth |
The first 18 months (at maximum) individually, by postponing the shared paid period. |
The first 18 months (at maximum) individually, by postponing the shared paid period. |
The 480 days can be distributed until the child turns 8 or finishes first year of schooling, which ever accurs latest. |
| Switzerland |
16 weeks (100%), 8 weeks mandatory |
31% |
3 days |
None |
None |
Pregnant women can't be fired |
| Turkey |
16 weeks 66.7% |
21% |
Three days paternity leave in the public sector |
12 months |
|
|
| Ukraine |
126 days 100% |
35% |
|
|
|
|
| United Kingdom |
Currently 39 weeks paid, due to rise to 52 weeks paid from April 2010, although delayed indefinitely[18] (6 weeks at 90% of full pay and remainder at a flat rate (as of 2011 = £128.73) or 90% of your salary if that is less than the flat rate). This is the statutory minimum; most employers often provide more generous arrangements. |
10.3% + flat rate of £128.73/week after week 6 |
2 weeks at a fixed amount (as of 2011 = £128.73)
4 weeks per year (non-paid and a max of 13 weeks) via a Parental leave request if they have at least one year's continuous employment
|
13 weeks unpaid (maternity or adoption) for total a of 52 weeks (paid and non-paid)
4 weeks per year (non-paid and a max of 13 weeks) via a Parental leave request if they have at least one year's continuous employment
|
None. Though note that a spouse or partner can request up to 4 weeks non-paid Parental leave annually (max 13 weeks) if they have at least one year's continuous employment |
The person requesting Maternity/Adoption or Paternity leave person must have worked for their current employer for at least 26 weeks before the 15th week before the due date (and received a salary that is higher than a fixed minimum). They must give the employer notice before the 15th week before the child is due. |
| Country |
Paid maternity leave |
Paid paternity leave |
Unpaid maternity leave |
Unpaid paternity leave |
Restrictions |
| Antigua/Barbuda |
13 weeks 60% |
|
|
|
|
| Argentina |
90 days 100% |
Two days |
|
|
| Aruba |
12 weeks 100% |
|
|
|
|
| Bahamas |
13 weeks 60% |
One week family-related leave |
|
|
Paid maternity leave may only be taken once every 36 months |
| Barbados |
12 weeks 100% |
|
|
|
|
| Belize |
12 weeks 80% |
|
|
|
|
| Bolivia |
12 weeks 100% of national min. wage + 70% of wages above min. wage |
|
|
|
|
| Brazil |
120 days 100%, salary partially tax-deductible for employers |
5 days (Article 10, Paragraph 1, of Temporary Constitutional Provisions Act of Brazilian Constitution)[1] |
|
|
|
| Canada |
55% up to $485/week for 50 weeks (15 weeks maternity + 35 weeks parental leave shared with father)[20] |
55% up to $485/week for 35 weeks parental leave (shared with mother)[21] |
2 weeks
Quebec, 70% up to $834.61/week for 25 weeks, then 55% up to $655.76/week for 25 weeks. As with the federal plan, there are 32 weeks of parental leave that can be shared with father. In addition, fathers are eligible for 5 weeks paid leave at a rate of up to 70% of their income or 3 weeks paid leave at a rate of 75% of their income.
|
|
|
| Chile |
18 weeks 100% |
Article 66 indicates 1 day paid; Law N° 20.047 (2005) increased paternity leave to 4 days paid leave. (edward gonzalez-acosta, The New School) |
|
|
|
| Colombia |
12 weeks 100% |
Law 755 (2002) appended a paragraph to Article 236 of the Labor Code to indicate that fathers have a leave of 4–8 days. (edward gonzalez-acosta, The New School) |
|
|
|
| Costa Rica |
4 months 100% |
|
|
|
|
| Cuba |
18 weeks 100% |
|
|
|
|
| Dominica |
12 weeks 60% |
|
|
|
|
| Dominican Republic |
12 weeks 100% |
|
|
|
|
| Ecuador |
12 weeks 100% |
|
|
|
|
| El Salvador |
12 weeks 75% |
|
|
|
|
| Grenada |
3 months 100% (2 months), 60% for 3rd month |
|
|
|
|
| Guatemala |
84 days 100% |
Two days at birth of child |
|
|
|
| Guyana |
13 weeks 70% |
|
|
|
|
| Haiti |
12 weeks 100% for 6 weeks |
|
|
|
|
| Honduras |
10 weeks 100% for 84 days |
|
|
|
|
| Jamaica |
12 weeks 100% for 8 weeks |
|
|
|
|
| Mexico |
12 weeks 100% |
|
|
|
|
| Nicaragua |
12 weeks 60% |
|
|
|
|
| Panama |
14 weeks 100% |
|
|
|
|
| Paraguay |
12 weeks 50% for 9 weeks |
Two days |
|
|
|
| Peru |
90 days 100% |
|
|
|
|
| Saint Lucia |
3 months 65% |
|
|
|
|
| Trinidad/Tobago |
13 weeks 60%-100% |
|
|
|
|
| United States |
0 weeks (CA: 6 weeks 55%, NJ 6 weeks 66%, WA 5 weeks $250/week possibly starting 10/2015; pregnancy treated as disability: HI 58%, NY 50%, RI formula.)[22] |
0 weeks (CA: 6 weeks 55%, NJ 6 weeks 66%, WA 5 weeks $250/week possibly starting 10/2015)[22] |
12 weeks |
12 weeks |
Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 includes all public agencies and private companies with 50 or more employees within 75 miles. Employee must have worked for covered employer for at least 12 months prior, and at least 1250 hours in previous 12 months. Other restrictions apply. See Paid Family Leave (California) for details in CA.[23] |
| Uruguay |
12 weeks 100% |
Three days paternity leave for civil servants |
|
|
|
| Venezuela |
26 weeks 100%[24] |
Two weeks |
|
|
|
Australia has introduced an 18 week paid parental leave scheme which is publicly funded and provides the federal minimum wage (currently AUS $596.78 per week) rather than a percentage of the primary caregiver's salary. It is not be available to families where the primary caregiver has an annual salary above $150,000 per annum.[25]
| Country |
Paid maternity leave |
Paid paternity leave |
Unpaid maternity leave |
Unpaid paternity leave |
Restrictions |
| Afghanistan |
90 days 100% |
|
|
|
|
| Azerbaijan |
126 days 100% |
|
|
|
|
| Australia |
18 weeks at federal minimum wage (around $596/week) |
18 weeks at federal minimum wage (around $596/week).
- Only if mother is not already taking the leave otherwise see unpaid leave (3 weeks).
|
Up to 52 weeks unpaid shared with father. |
Up to 3 weeks of UNPAID leave as covered by the NES (National Employment Standards). |
The 52 weeks are shared between the parents, and all leave must be completed before the child's first birthday. |
| Bahrain |
45 days 100% |
|
|
|
|
| Bangladesh |
16 weeks (8 weeks before delivery and 8 weeks after delivery) 100% |
|
In case of third (+) time mom, who has two or more babies alive already. |
|
|
| Cambodia |
90 days 50% |
10 days special leave for family events |
|
|
|
| China |
90 days 100% |
|
|
|
|
| Fiji |
84 days Flat rate |
|
|
|
|
| Hong Kong |
10 weeks 80% |
|
|
|
|
| India |
12 weeks 100% |
|
|
|
Does not apply to the state of Jammu and Kashmir.[26] Prohibits employers from allowing women to work within six weeks after giving birth.[27] A female employee is eligible only if she worked for the employer at least 80 days during the 12-month period preceding the date of expected delivery.[28] In the case of a stillbirth or miscarriage, six weeks of paid leave is required instead.[28] Female employees of the Central Government of India receive 180 days of leave.[29] |
| Indonesia |
3 months 100% |
Two days' paid when wife gives birth |
|
|
|
| Iran |
6 months 100% |
|
|
|
|
| Iraq |
62 days 100% |
|
|
|
|
| Israel |
14 weeks 100%. The weeks from 6th to 14th can be taken by the father. |
Can take the paid leave instead of the mother starting from the 6th week (up to 14 weeks) |
1 year |
|
|
| Japan |
14 weeks 60% |
|
1 year |
1 year |
When parents take turns, the total period may be extended 2 months (but no longer than 1 year for each parent). [30] |
| Jordan |
10 weeks 100% |
|
|
|
|
| Korea, Republic of |
90 days 100% |
|
1 year (400US$ per a month paid by Employment Insurance) until the child is 3 years old |
1 year (400US$ per a month paid by Employment Insurance) until the child is 3 years old |
| Kuwait |
70 days 100% |
|
|
|
|
| Lao People's Democratic Republic |
3 months 70% |
|
|
|
|
| Lebanon |
7 weeks 100% |
1 day 100% |
|
|
|
| Malaysia |
60 days 100% |
|
|
|
|
| Mongolia |
120 days 70% |
|
|
|
|
| Myanmar |
12 weeks 66.7% |
Six days of "casual leave" that can be used by fathers to assist their spouses at the time of confinement |
|
|
|
| Nepal |
52 days 100% |
|
|
|
|
| New Zealand |
14 weeks, 100% or NZ$458.82 per week (whichever is lower). May start up to six weeks before expected delivery date. |
1-2 weeks, 0%. May start 21 days before expected delivery date, must be completed within 21 days after date of confinement. |
38 weeks in addition to paid leave. |
Fathers can share unpaid (extended) leave with the mother of the child. |
If the mother gives birth more than six weeks before expected delivery date, or if ordered to start leave early by a doctor, midwife or their employer, maternity leave may be extended beyond 14 weeks to the difference between the date of confinement/date of the order and the expected delivery date, plus eight weeks. |
| Pakistan |
45 days prior to confinement and 45 days after the confinement under rule 13 of the Revised Leave Rules, 1980. But it is 60 days for Armed Forces Nursing Service (AFNS)100% |
|
|
|
|
| Papua New Guinea |
12 weeks 0% |
|
|
|
|
| Philippines |
60 days 100%, applicable also to miscarriages. 78 days 100% for C-section delivery. 7 days 100% parental leave per year for solo parents until the child is 18, or indefinitely if the child has a disability. |
Seven days paid paternity leave for married workers. 7 days 100% parental leave per year for solo parents until the child is 18, or indefinitely if the child has a disability. |
|
|
Maternity and paternity leave benefits are up to the 4th pregnancy only. |
| Qatar |
50 days 100% for civil servants |
|
|
|
|
| Saudi Arabia |
10 weeks 50% or 100% |
One day |
|
|
|
| Singapore |
16 weeks 100% |
|
|
|
Leave is restricted to married women whose children are Singapore citizens (at least one parent is a Singapore citizen) |
| Solomon Islands |
12 weeks 25% |
|
|
|
|
| Sri Lanka |
12 weeks 100% (84 working days), 84 days 50% |
03 days 100% |
84 days |
|
|
| Syrian Arab Republic |
50 days 70% |
|
|
|
|
| Thailand |
90 days 100% for 45 days then 50% for 45 days |
|
|
|
|
| United Arab Emirates |
45 Days 100% |
|
|
|
|
| Vietnam |
4–6 months 100% |
|
|
|
|
| Yemen |
60 days 100% |
|
|
|
|
As international organizations are not subject to the legislation of any country, they have their own internal legislation on parental leave.
