Today I was taking a look at my company’s maternity leave and at first glance thought it was pretty cool that we get 12 weeks off for maternity leave and sad that it was such little time to bond with the new baby….then my jaw dropped. It was all UNPAID.
Ok seriously? Rumor has it…babies aren’t cheap. So with me being out of work to take care of our little sweet pea and living in Silicon Valley, this is going to be some good times I tell ya.
But why? Why on earth is one of the world’s wealthiest country not instituting into law that women have paid maternity leave? Not only do many European countries allow for women to have paid maternity leave with their spouse..but it’s up to 14 months-16 months!
Forbes did a global rundown last year. It’s both shocking and disturbing.
When it comes to paid maternity leave, the United States is in the postpartum dark ages.
France, Singapore and Austria all offer four months' paid maternity leave benefits, and Germany offers 14 weeks. In the U.K., a woman receives 90% of her salary for up to a year off with her baby. Swedish mothers hit the jackpot with 480 days off at 80% of their salary, followed by their counterparts in Serbia and Denmark with a full year off at full pay. Even in Gambia, Somalia and Vietnam new mothers receive at least three months' paid maternity leave.
I agree, it's insane. Companies that do give paid time usually only give a few weeks. Craziness.
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