Parental leave

Parental leave policies were developed in response to increasing numbers of women participating in the labour market and out of concern for the health and well-being of both mother and infant.

In Canada (2001 statistics):

• 60% of women with children under three years of age were employed¹;
• 85% of Canadian mothers and nearly as many fathers (employed full-time) felt there were not enough hours in the day².

Typically, national policies include a period of job-protected leave and some degree of replacement (benefits) in order to take time off from work following the birth or adoption of a child.

For example, in 2000, Sweden was providing 12 weeks of maternity leave (100% of wages replaced) and 18 months of parental leave (80% of earnings for 1 year); Norway was providing from 42 to 52 weeks of parental leave (100% of earnings for 42 weeks, 80% for 52 weeks); Italy, 21 weeks of maternal leave (at 80% of  earnings) and 10 months of parental leave (30% of earnings); Denmark was allowing 18 weeks of maternity leave (100% of earnings) and 10 weeks for each parent as parental leave (paid full-time). In Canada, 12 months of partially paid maternity and parental leaves were available; in the U.S., 12 weeks of unpaid leave were offered to those who were eligible (firms with 50 or more workers)³.

In Canada (2001 statistics):

• 61% of new mothers were receiving maternity or parental leave benefits⁴;
• 10% of husbands claimed or planned to claim paid parental benefits⁴.

See also Stress (prenatal and perinatal)

References