Fema Employment - What are maternity benefits like where you live?

What are maternity benefits like where you live?

I'm just curious what benefits are like in other parts of the world. I'd love to hear where you're from, what the government offers to women (how long off, how much money, etc), if men can access the same benefits, and what is common practice around employers supplementing income. Here's what we get in Canada: If a parent has worked more than 600 hours in the last year before the baby is born, he/she will be granted 1 year of leave off of work where the job will be held for that person. While off on leave the parent can collect employment insurance in the amount of approximately 50% of their salary up to a maximum of $710 (net income) every 2 weeks. This applies to both parents, however only one parent can take advantage of this at any given time. The parents can share the year (ie mom first 6 months, dad the next 6, or one parent takes all). This also applies to same sex partners. Some employers will add to the gov. contribution anywhere from 55-100% of the salary. Wow I didn't even think about what others might have to pay for medical services etc. Thanks for adding that info. too it's really interesting. I was originally just asking about time off work and compensation while off on leave. I never considered the medical costs involved because in Canada we don't pay anything. If any other answerers wan to comment on who pays medical costs that would be interesting to me too.

Public Comments

well i live in US and get nothing! i got let go from my job because they didnt need me anymore. cant get unemployment because you have to be able to work, cant get disability. so i am screwed.
Here in the US, you typically can't have the cost of your pregnancy and labor covered unless you fall below a certain income level. I pay $250 a month for health insurance (for a family of four) and as far as the coverage on my pregnancy, I will be paying one $30 copay. The rest of my OB copays will be waived. My hospital copay, including the baby's nursery stay and any shots, food, or tests run for him/her or even a NICU stay, epidural, labs, antibiotics (if needed), pain medications, food, etc. will only run me $375 that I need to have paid by my due date. As far as coverage goes, mine is pretty damn good! For work, I'm covered under FMLA. I will be paid with short term disability for six weeks and then will receive a percentage of my wages until I come back at 12 weeks post partum. My job is protected and will not be given away during that time. I have been at my job for over a year. My husband works for the same company and will be granted paid leave as well. I don't know how long for him, though. I'll find out and keep you updated. Our company has been rated one of the top places to work, though, due in part to benefits such as these!
I get six weeks of unpaid maternity leave at my job. Government benifits here in Montana are Pregnant Medicaid if you don't have regular health insurance.
The only benefits I receive are through my employer. I can take up to 12 weeks of paid leave under Short Term Disability where I will be paid approx. 70% of my salary-health insurance is sponsored 100% by my employer when on maternity leave and my job will be held. My husband works for the family business and can take leave if he chooses and still receive 100% of his salary due to being a partner in the business, although he will most likely not be taking much time off. Most employers in the area I work do not offer benefits such as STD- I work for a hospital which is one of the only companies in the area that offers this benefit to it's employees.
Wow you guys have it pretty hard over in those parts, here in Australia we usually get benefits such as paid maternity leave for up to 12 months at some jobs. When our baby is born the government gives us a baby bonus of $4300 straight into our bank account. After the child is born if one partner is working and earning under $1300 a fortnight we get up to $300 and something dollars a fortnight parenting payment plus family assistance of up to about $100 dollars a fortnight I think. We have a completely free and fantastic hospital system, unless you want to go to a private hospital but you would have private cover anyway! The hospital where im having my baby is a specialist womens and childrens hospital with the best NICU in the state and a fantatsic reputation and it is completely free. Australia is a pretty good place me thinks!
in the uk we get 39 weeks paid leave from work the first 6 weeks at 90% of our wages then 33 weeks at either £112 or 90% of our wages whichever is lower and an optional extra 13 weks unpaid leave and our jobs are kept open. If you are unemployed you get maternity benefit but i don't know how much that is.