I wonder if anyone is able to share their USA Maternity/Paternity policy. We have looking at establishing a global minimum level policy but urgently need to launch our USA policy. Thanks in advance.
Hi there, with the US it's a little bit more complex to other countries (depending on which state you're based in as different states mandate different policies). We have a global minimum paternity leave policy which is 8 weeks fully paid. This is currently operational in UK, USA and Ireland with plans to expand elsewhere. In the US, they have to use it within six months post birth, whereas in the UK they can use it up to a year after birth and in Ireland it's up to two years after birth. We have labelled this as Child Bonding Leave in the US and it applies to all parents.
In addition to this, birthing parents get 8 weeks of pregnancy/birthing leave. This is immediately post birth and they receive fully pay during this 8 week period (through our short term disability plan). This does include adoption and surrogacy. So if you're looking at maternity leave it's a full 16 weeks comprising of birthing leave followed by bonding leave (which can be taken subsequently after the birthing leave).
In the UK and Ireland we offer 26 weeks of paid maternity/adoption/surrogacy leave. I did explore trying to introduce this in the US but was warned by our legal counsel that in an increasingly litigious environment, there is a fear of law suits for not offering non-birthing parents the same amount. While I'm all for equal leave, we're not there yet as an organisation so we'll leave it at 16 weeks for maternity and 8 weeks for paternity in the US.
Hi there, with the US it's a little bit more complex to other countries (depending on which state you're based in as different states mandate different policies).
We have a global minimum paternity leave policy which is 8 weeks fully paid. This is currently operational in UK, USA and Ireland with plans to expand elsewhere.
In the US, they have to use it within six months post birth, whereas in the UK they can use it up to a year after birth and in Ireland it's up to two years after birth. We have labelled this as Child Bonding Leave in the US and it applies to all parents.
In addition to this, birthing parents get 8 weeks of pregnancy/birthing leave. This is immediately post birth and they receive fully pay during this 8 week period (through our short term disability plan). This does include adoption and surrogacy. So if you're looking at maternity leave it's a full 16 weeks comprising of birthing leave followed by bonding leave (which can be taken subsequently after the birthing leave).
In the UK and Ireland we offer 26 weeks of paid maternity/adoption/surrogacy leave. I did explore trying to introduce this in the US but was warned by our legal counsel that in an increasingly litigious environment, there is a fear of law suits for not offering non-birthing parents the same amount. While I'm all for equal leave, we're not there yet as an organisation so we'll leave it at 16 weeks for maternity and 8 weeks for paternity in the US.