France sure knows how to treat their mammas! Maternity leave in France is required for all full-time working pregnant women.
They are given 8 weeks paid maternity leave, with the maximum of 16 weeks. If you are lucky to have twins, then you are entitled to a total of 36 or 38 weeks. Furthermore, if this is your 3rd child, then you are bumped up to 26 weeks.
There are also other special conditions, such as if you have your baby more than 6 weeks before her due date, then you have your regular amount of maternity leave plus they add on all the extra days between birth and the expected due date. Paternity leave is also available for all the pappas. They get 11 consecutive days off, or 18 in the case of multiple births.
What’s the catch? All you need is to do is be registered in the social security system for at least 10 months prior to the baby’s delivery date and have worked a predetermined amount of hours, or paid a certain amount into the system. It does not matter who you work for, just that you worked. Huge contrast from the USA, no? Last time I checked, the government allows most workers 12 weeks maternity leave but does not make the company pay you for this time.
Unfortunately, my husband and I do not get to take advantage of maternity or parental leave. I have not been in the social security system for the required amount of time and we are both self-employed. Oh well. If one day I decide to work for a regular employer, then I have something to look forward to.
Image Credit: Kati Molin on fotolia.com
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