Maternity Leave

## Maternity Leave

Maternity leave provides time off for mothers around childbirth. The duration, pay level, and job protection vary enormously by country.

### Global Comparison

| Country | Duration | Pay Level | Paid By |
|---------|---------|----------|--------|
| Sweden | 480 days (shared parental) | 80% for 390 days | Social insurance |
| UK | 52 weeks | 90% for 6 weeks, then £184.03/week for 33 weeks | Employer (reclaimed) |
| Germany | 14 weeks + Elternzeit | 100% for 14 weeks | Health insurance |
| Japan | 14 weeks + childcare leave | 67% for 6 months, then 50% | Social insurance |
| Canada | 15–18 weeks | 55% of earnings (EI) | Employment Insurance |
| US (FMLA) | 12 weeks | Unpaid (unless state/employer policy) | N/A |

### US State Laws

Several US states have paid family leave programs: California (60–70% for 8 weeks), New York (67% for 12 weeks), New Jersey, and others.

### Employer Supplementation

Many US companies offer paid maternity leave beyond FMLA: tech companies commonly offer 16–26 weeks at full pay.