The 17 Best Companies for Maternity and Paternity Leave

Bella Breakdown

The United States is one of only two countries out of 185 in the world that don’t require paid maternity leave for new moms. In honor of International Women’s Day, here’s a look at some companies in America that are leading by example with unusually robust paid leave policies.

In the US, new parents can take 12 weeks of leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act. But it’s unpaid, and more than 40% of employees don’t qualify. Out of the 185 countries in the world with available info, the US is one of two without guaranteed paid maternity leave.

In the US, your maternity or paternal leave really depends on your employer. Parental leave can apply to both mothers and fathers through childbirth, adoption, surrogacy or foster care. Maternity leave applies to new moms specifically.

Pinterest, IKEA and Facebook all offer 16 weeks of paid parental leave, PayPal offers 16 weeks of paid maternity leave and 8 weeks of paid parental leave. Reddit gives its employees 17 weeks of paid parental leave, Johnson & Johnson gives 17 weeks of paid maternity leave and 8 weeks of paid parental leave.

Infinite gives a whopping 18 weeks of paid maternity leave and six weeks of paid parental leave.

Starbucks offers 12 weeks of out of store paid maternity leave and 12 weeks of paid parental leave. Watch this video to see what other companies are going above and beyond.