Maternity leave is a type of time off employees get when they have a new baby. Depending on the country, during this time off the employee may receive some sort of compensation or benefits – typically administered through the payroll system.
Maternity leave policies differ from country to country in terms of length and payment.
Who gets maternity leave?
To receive maternity leave, parents with new babies may need to meet additional criteria. Examples of determiners may include the following:
- Length of time the employee has been at the company
- How much notice the employee has given the employer before the birth
- Medical documentation provided
- How much maternity leave the employee has already taken
How long is maternity leave?
Length of maternity leave will vary country to country. Some countries have minimum amount of time you need to give an employee/ then some companies may offer then additional benefits. Like extended pay leave or flexibility more flexibility with work.
What are the policies for paid maternity leave?
In some countries paid maternity leave is mandatory, while in other countries it’s optional or even non-existent like the U.S for example.
Maternity leave may also sometimes show up as part of a benefits package.
Managing maternity leave for a global workforce
Several challenges can surface in terms of managing maternity leave for a global workforce. Common obstacles include:
- Requirements regarding length of maternity leave and payment
- Differences in notice periods required
- Processing relevant documentation, like pregnancy confirmation forms
- Cultural norms regarding taking leave
Companies with global workforce management needs, should be privy to the variety of factors and differences that come with maternity leave requirements and customs.
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