Maternity leave is a crucial stage for mothers to recover post-birth and develop a bond with their newborns. Availability and requirements vary based on the country you work in and the company you work for. The United States is notoriously known to be one of the few without government-backed maternity leave, contrasting starkly with many European countries.
US Maternity Leave Offerings are Few and Far Between
Some companies do offer paid maternity leave, but it is not guaranteed by law and is up to the discretion of individual companies. The main regulation regarding maternity leave in the United States is the Family and Medical Leave Act. The embedded regulations ensure unpaid leave for up to 12 weeks per year with job security for a year post-birth, but only for companies that employ more than 50 people within a 121-kilometer vicinity. If this requirement is met, the employee must have been at their job a minimum of 12 months and accumulated at least 1,250 working hours over the 12 months prior to the leave.
For those comfortable with leaving their newborns in the hands of caretakers, this may sound like an acceptable offer. However, unpaid leave is a significant issue for many families, especially during a time requiring even more funding than before.
European Benefits Differ But Are Consistently Found
To contrast, maternity leave is a fundamental right in Europe. The Pregnant Workers Directive created the foundation for maternity leave in the European Union (EU). According to the directive, the minimum maternity leave duration is 14 weeks, with a two-week mandatory leave before or after delivery. Many European governments offer an additional comprehensive parental leave package for both new mothers and fathers, depending on the size of the company. Individual companies can also choose to give more leave to parents.
For example, Lithuania mandates one of the longest government-paid leaves in Europe. The duration can be up to two years, with two non-transferable months of paid leave granted to each parent. This leave is also only provided if the mother was a frequent social insurance contributor and taxpayer before the pregnancy and the need for maternity leave. The awarded benefits depend on the amount of leave taken as well as base salary.
At the moment, Estonia offers the strongest financial support for tax-paying employees taking maternity leave. 100% of the salary is paid for up to 20 weeks of the available 86 weeks of leave. This leave can be taken before and after birth.
“Is paid leave available to mothers of infants, including maternity and parental?”
Credit: WORLD Policy Analysis Center via UCLA World
Parental Supports: A Win-Win
Mothers are prone to facing all kinds of workplace-related bias and discrimination. Denying maternity leave is simply evidence of this already existing bias. Guaranteeing maternity leave and incorporating equitable paternity leave into law is a good place to start. Today, Japan is leading the pack with 365 days of leave offered to new fathers, with the EU close behind. Having both parents present to help with the newborn will ensure they are able to bond with the child, ultimately preventing the mother from having to bear the burden alone and improving career outlooks for women. It is clear that the US has a long way to go to measure up to global “mother-friendly” practices.
All in all, having a baby is a beautiful process that everyone who wishes to should be able to experience without fear of losing one’s job or not being able to take care of their newest family member.
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