How Parental Leave Works - Complete Guide

Parental leave is time off work that can be taken by either parent (or both) to care for a new child. It's designed to be shared between parents, giving families flexibility in how they divide childcare responsibilities. Parental leave is typically longer and more flexible than paternity leave, with durations ranging from weeks to years depending on the country.

Shared parental leave allows parents to divide the total leave entitlement between them. For example, in Sweden, parents share 480 days (96 weeks), with each parent required to take at least 3 months. In Canada, parents can share 40 weeks, with 35 weeks paid. The division is typically flexible, allowing parents to decide how to split the time.

Parental leave pay varies by country: Sweden (80% of salary for 390 days shared), Canada (55% of earnings for 35 weeks shared, up to $650/week), Germany (65% of net income for 14 months shared), UK (Shared Parental Leave is typically unpaid, though you can share maternity/paternity pay).

Eligibility typically requires: employment with the same employer for a minimum period, meeting earnings thresholds, and having a child (birth or adoption). Some countries have different requirements for parental leave compared to maternity/paternity leave - check your country's specific rules.

Parental leave is typically more flexible than maternity/paternity leave. Many countries allow it to be taken in blocks, part-time, or spread over a longer period. Some countries allow it to start immediately after maternity/paternity leave, while others have specific timing requirements.

In countries with both systems, parental leave typically starts after maternity/paternity leave ends. Some countries allow overlap or flexible timing. It's important to coordinate with your employer and understand how the different leave types interact in your country.