Around the World When it comes to job guarantees for new parents, the United States is the least generous of the industrialized nations. In Sweden, a new mother gets 80 percent of her salary for the first year of maternity and parental leave. There are 18 months of parental leave, two of which are reserved for the father. Mother or father can take the time off until a child is 8. England gives 18 weeks maternity leave.
German women get two months of fully paid leave after giving birth.
The government and the company kick in. And either parent has the option of three full years in parental leave with some of his or her salary paid and a guarantee of job protection. In Italy, jobs are protected, too. A mother keeps getting 80 percent of her salary from the government. And either parent can take up to 10 months off until a child is 3.