Maternity leave is the time, whether paid or not, when a new mother takes time off from work after the birth or adoption of a child. Creating a good maternity leave policy provides employees with many physical and mental benefits. For employers, offering maternity leave can help them better retain and engage their employees.

What is maternity leave and why is it important?

Maternity leave is the period during which a new mother takes time off from work following the birth or adoption of a child. Many companies also offer paternity leave for fathers of new babies, or family or parental leave for both parents.

Paid maternity leave is a major consideration for employees when choosing an employer.  Research shows  that offering paid maternity leave increases employee engagement, employee health and well-being, and the ability to attract and retain talent.

Maternity leave is important for new mothers because it gives them time to physically recover from the burdens of pregnancy and childbirth and to bond with their new baby. Research has found many benefits to taking leave after a baby is born, including a stronger bond between mother and child,  lower infant mortality rates,  and overall better postpartum mental health. Mothers who take maternity leave  are also more likely to be working at the same company a year later  .

Are employers required to provide paid maternity leave?

Unlike many other countries, the United States does not have a national paid family leave policy, meaning that the employer's benefits package determines the length of the leave and whether it is paid. However, a small group of states use payroll taxes paid by the employee to fund guaranteed paid maternity leave.

Companies are not required to provide paid maternity leave, but a  growing number of employers are including it in their benefits packages. Currently,   according to  the Bureau of Labor Statistics :

• 23% of private industry employees have access to paid maternity leave.
• 89% of private company employees receive unpaid maternity leave.
• The numbers are slightly higher for government employees, with 26% receiving paid maternity leave, and 94% receiving unpaid maternity leave.

The Family  and Medical Leave Act (FMLA  ) guarantees 12 weeks of unpaid leave and job protection after the birth or adoption of a child, meaning a mother is guaranteed to keep her job even after returning from unpaid maternity leave. However, the FMLA is limited to workers who have been with the company for at least 12 months and companies with at least 50 employees, as well as other caveats. Currently, only an estimated 60 percent of U.S. workers qualify for the FMLA.

Can short-term disability insurance help pay for maternity leave?

Employees with limited or no paid maternity leave often have the option of using their vacation time, sick leave, or personal days to extend their paid maternity leave. Some employers require employees to use their paid leave before receiving unpaid maternity leave benefits. Many employees  also opt for short-term disability insurance  , which pays between 50 percent and 100 percent of a mother's salary while she recovers after childbirth.

What does it mean to go on maternity leave?

Maternity leave can last anywhere from a few days to a full year, depending on the employee's benefits and financial situation. In the U.S., most mothers return to work an average of 10 weeks after childbirth.

Other factors involved in a mother's decision about the length of maternity leave are:

• Benefits provided by an employer to an employee
• Is he eligible for FMLA or short-term disability insurance
• How much unpaid leave can she take

New mothers who return to work too soon after their child's birth may feel overwhelmed and disengaged from their work. Providing adequate paid maternity leave allows women to take the necessary time off so they can return in good physical and mental health, ready to participate fully and equally in their organizations.