Leading The Way With Maternity Leave

With studies concluding almost as many women with children (74.1%) participated in the labour force as women without, women who are juggling careers and motherhood benefit from flexibility at work the most. Recent research from Catalyst shows Women account for 40% or more of the total labour force in several countries, making flexible working hours, extended maternal leave, breastfeeding rooms, free education and free healthcare just a few of the ways that some countries build the best working environments for mothers.

With a focus on better gender-balance in the workplace, Instant Offices have looked countries with the most progressive approaches into maternity, and general parental leave around the world, including additional benefits encouraging mothers to be comfortable and engaged at work before, during and after pregnancy. The results:

Sweden
Sweden offers one of the most progressive working environments for parents, which exceeds international standards. Parents are entitled to up to 80% of their regular pay for 390 of the 480 days of maternity leave provided, while mothers in jobs that require heavy lifting, or more risky work are also entitled to take time off earlier during their pregnancy. Each parent receives 240 of 480 days of paid parental leave, is entitled to 90 days exclusively for him or her, and has the right to shorten their work hours by up to 25% until the child turns eight.

Norway
Mastering the art of the work-life balance, the Norwegian Parliament decided to increase the quota of paternity and maternity leave for new parents in 2018. Parents now reive 49 weeks of leave at 100% pay or 59 weeks at 80%

Croatia
In addition to a year of being able to bond with your new-born, full paid parental leave is available for 120 days in Croatia. The country’s protective attitude towards mother’s at work has ensured there are laws in place to ensure workers who are expecting are provided with free ante and post-natal medical care, and mothers have breastfeeding breaks of over an hour until the child is a year old. Workers are also protected from dismissals during pregnancy and maternity leave.

The UK
Receiving 90% of their original pay new mothers are legally allowed up to 52 weeks of maternity leave. This breaks down as: Ordinary Maternity Leave – first 26 weeks, Additional Maternity Leave – last 26 weeks. You may be entitled to take some of your leave as shared parental leave, although this must be taken within the first year after your child is born

Serbia
Mothers in Serbia are entitled to 20 weeks of leave at full pay after giving birth, with an additional year after that, however lowering over time as follows: for the first 26 weeks - 100% pay, weeks 27–39 - 60% pay, weeks 40–52 - 30% pay.

On the other end of the scale, some of the countries with the shortest maternity leave/least benefits include:

Philippines – Previously only six weeks, the Philippines has recently extended the law for paid maternity leave to 105 days.

Australia – Although mothers can receive up to 18 weeks of leave, it is paid at the national minimum wage.

United States – The law most women rely on is the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) which protects women’s jobs for up to 12 weeks after childbirth or adoption, however, it doesn’t guarantee pay for the time off.