What Is Maternity Leave?
Parental leave, or family leave, is an employee benefit available in almost all countries. The term “parental leave” may include maternity, paternity, and adoption leave; or may be used distinctively from “maternity leave” and “paternity leave” to describe separate family leave available to either parent to care for small children. In some countries and jurisdictions, “family leave” also includes leave provided to care for ill family members. Often, the minimum benefits and eligibility requirements are stipulated by law.
Maternity leave is the time, either paid or unpaid, that a new mother takes off work after the birth or adoption of a child. Building a good maternity leave policy provides numerous physical and mental benefits for employees. For employers, offering maternity leave can help better retain and engage their workforce.
How Many Months Is Maternity Leave In South Africa?
In accordance with South African labor law, moms are entitled to four months of unpaid maternity leave. This means that you are entitled to take the full four months’ leave if required.
What Are The Types Of Maternity Leave?
Maternity leave can be made up of three types of time off: Compulsory maternity leave (CML) — the two weeks following the birth. As the name suggests, all new mothers must take this period of leave. Ordinary maternity leave (OML) — the first 26 weeks of maternity leave.
Why Is Maternity Leave Important?
Maternity leave is the period of time a new mother takes off work after 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 wellness, and the ability to attract and retain talent.
Maternity leave is vital to new mothers because it allows them time to physically heal from the tolls of pregnancy and childbirth and bond with their new baby. Research has found numerous benefits to taking time off after the birth of a baby, including a stronger connection between mother and baby, lower infant mortality rates, and overall improved postpartum mental health. Mothers taking maternity leave are also more likely to work for the same company a year later.