Maternity Leave Laws in the United States in the Light of European Legislation

Abstract

A comparison of maternity (and paternity) leave laws in the United States and the European Union could be stated in two phrases: United States, not much; European Union, a lot. Countries in the European Union and in much of the world provide lengthy paid maternity leaves and some paternity leaves. Although many companies in the United States provide their workers with paid family leaves, many do not. United States law does not require or fund paid family leaves. This makes it difficult for workers in the United States to balance family concerns with work.