maternity leave

employee benefit

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Last updated

July 20, 2026

Quick Summary

Maternity leave is a job-protected period of time off work granted to a mother to care for a newborn child. This employee benefit is specifically for mothers and is related to childbirth and the immediate postpartum period.12

Parental leave is a broader benefit, usually available to both mothers and fathers, that allows for job-protected time off following the birth or adoption of a child. Entitlements and compensation for parental leave vary significantly across countries. In some places, parental leave supplements maternity leave, while in others, it replaces it.3

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Sweden
Labour and taxation
…is well known for its maternity and parental leave schemes that allow up to 13 months’ leave at about four-fifths of their pay. Employers pay additional fees of more than two-fifths of gross wages for statutory social benefits, including pensions. As of 1999, a new general pension system was introduced,…
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…is well known for its maternity and parental leave schemes that allow up to 13 months’ leave at about four-fifths of their pay. Employers pay additional fees of more than two-fifths of gross wages for statutory social benefits, including pensions. As of 1999, a new general pension system was introduced,…
Read More