Where are the best parental leave policies

Parental leave includes maternity leave to which all expecting mothers are entitled, as well as paternity and adoption leave in many cases. For many years, parental leave has been considered either as a legal right or as part of government programs. While maternity leave is paid in most cases, according to law, this may not always apply to paternity or adoption leaves. Eligibility requirements and benefits are defined by law, and may vary from one country to another.

In 2014, according to the International Labor Organization (ILO), most countries except Papua New Guinea had laws mandating parental leave. As surprising as it may be — being the most industrialised country in the world — the USA does not have a federally mandated policy for paid time off for parents.

Europe: On the side of new parents

Europe boasts to look after its citizens and residents, and generous parental leaves are just another proof of its benevolent attitude. Indeed, the region has the world's best parental leave policies. In Sweden, for example, new parents are entitled to 480 days of parental leave paid at 80% of their normal salary. On top of that, mothers are entitled to additional 18 weeks and dads to 90 days of paid paternity leave.

Norway is also quite generous when it comes to parental leave. The country has a flexible system that grants either 35 weeks at full pay or 45 weeks at 80% of their monthly salary. Fathers, for their part, may take up to 10 weeks of paternity leave depending on their wives' income. Moreover, both parents can take an additional parental leave for either 46 weeks at full pay or 56 weeks at 80% of their monthly salary.

Many other European countries have implemented similar policies, but the best is in Lithuania. While new mums are entitled to 18 weeks of fully-paid maternity leave, and fathers get four weeks, both parents can altogether share an additional 156 weeks parental leave that they can split into two portions of paid and unpaid leave.

Oceania: Grandparents included

New Zealand provides a more dynamic parental policy for expecting parents, including greater support and choice in the way they manage child care. Since April 2016, working parents are entitled to 18 weeks of paid parental leave if they are expecting a child, or they have to take care of a six-years-old child or younger. These changes also apply to non-biological parents, and even to grandparents who have to look after their grandchild.

Parents can take up to 52 weeks of extended unpaid leave, including the 18 paid weeks if they have been in continuous employment for 12 months. It's worth noting that parental leave income has increased since July 2016.

Australia has recently announced changes regarding parental leave although these have not yet been implemented. Till now, eligible parents can take up to 18 weeks of paid leave at the national minimum wage. Parents in Australia are entitled to both a Parental Leave Pay from the the government and a paid parental leave from their employer.

Asia: Room for improvement

While maternity leave remains a legal right for mothers in Asia, fathers do not enjoy the same benefits as in Europe. Hong Kong, for example, recently amended its law, so as to grant a three-day paternity leave on four-fifths of their regular pay. However, this only applies to people who have been under a continuous employment contract for more than 40 weeks before the paternity leave.

Singapore employers, on the other hand, are granted with a paid parental leave which is funded by the government. Eligible fathers are entitled to a whole week of paid paternity leave and can share one week of their wives' 16 weeks parental leave provided they are lawfully married, and they have been in continuous employment for at least three months.

In Malaysia, paternity leave is not a legal obligation for employers although many companies tend to grant between 1 and three days. In some cases, whereby an agreement has been achieved between the employer and the employee, up to 14 days may be granted.