Maternity is paid time off after a mother gives birth. If you are considering expanding your family, you likely want to know which companies have the best maternity leave benefits in America.
Companies like Netflix, Adobe, American Express, Dropbox, Etsy, Salesforce, and Pinterest go above and beyond to show their commitment to work-life balance by offering their employees far more than the average 12 weeks of paid or unpaid maternity leave that most companies provide new mothers in America.
Look at the list below to learn about these companies’ maternity leave benefits. Each company in this guide offers paid time off to new mothers, fathers, and non-birth parents.
What Companies Have the Best Maternity Leave?
Working for a company with maternity leave and benefits like employer 401k contribution matching, health savings programs, health insurance, and classes for first-time parents helps people start their families on sound financial footing.
Offering these benefits is a great way to recruit high-quality candidates and for employers to tell their employees, ‘I appreciate you,’ which boosts employee morale.
The companies below do an excellent job meeting employee needs regarding parental leave.
1. Netflix – 52 Weeks
New mothers working for Netflix as full-time employees receive 52 weeks of paid time off. Anytime the mother does not take off to spend bonding with their baby can be used over the year after they return to attend doctor appointments or family events. Furthermore, Netflix provides on-site daycare, so when a mother returns to work, they can bring their baby with them.
2. Adobe – 26 Weeks
Birth mothers receive 26 weeks of paid maternity leave while working for Adobe. The company also offers up to 16 weeks of paid leave for new fathers and parents who expand their families through adoption or surrogacy.
3. American Express – 20 Weeks
American Express offers 20 weeks of paid parental leave to their employees. They also assist employees with surrogacy, adoption, and fertility treatment expenses up to $35,000.
4. Dropbox – 24 Weeks
Dropbox gives all new parents 24 weeks of paid leave. They also help with up to $10,000 for expenses related to adopting a child.
5. Etsy – 26 Weeks
All employees enjoy 26 weeks of paid parental leave, whether biological parents or those who have adopted a child. The company also supports parents in starting a family through adoption or surrogacy. Additionally, the company offers parenting classes and other support benefits.
6. Salesforce – 26 Weeks
Salesforce is another company setting the bar high for other American employers regarding paid parental leave. The company offers up to six months of paid leave for primary caregivers, including dads, and 12 weeks for secondary caregivers. Furthermore, the company allows new parents to work just four days per week for the first month when they return.
7. Pinterest – 16 Weeks
Employees who work for Pinterest receive various benefits to help them become parents and support after their babies are born. Moms and dads can take up to four months of paid leave, and if you travel while working for the company, they will ship breast milk to your home.
What are Standard Maternity Benefits?
The Family Medical Leave Act of 1993 gives employees working for companies with more than 50 employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to bond with their children. However, most employers realize that it is very challenging for a new parent to take 12 weeks of unpaid leave, so many employers offer some paid time off.
However, many employers only offer one to four weeks of paid maternity leave. So, the companies on this list go above and beyond the law.
State Maternity Leave Benefits
Some states offer assistance for residents who work for companies that do not provide paid maternity leave. The states that offer these benefits are:
- California
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Massachusets
- New Jersey
- New York
- Rhode Island
- Washington
What Can You do if Your Employer Does Not Offer Maternity Leave?
If your employer does not offer maternity leave or you are not yet eligible for the benefits your company offers, and you do not live in one of the states that provides support, you need to save money to take off work.
By law, your employer cannot penalize you for taking up to 12 weeks of maternity leave. However, your employer does not have to pay you for the time you take off. They must maintain your position at the company and allow you to return without penalty.
So, while pregnant or in the months leading up to bringing your new baby home, it is essential to look for ways to budget your money. You can follow the 10/20 rule to manage debt and save additional pay you receive during months with 5 weeks to get ahead.
Final Advice on the Best Companies with Maternity Leave
Maternity leave helps new parents bond with their children. However, not every employee benefits from working for one of the best companies with maternity leave.
If you find yourself in a position where you work for a business that does not provide the benefits the companies above offer, you can still spend time with your new baby. However, you will need to be diligent with your finances to live more comfortably after you bring your new family member home.
For additional personal finance tips, look at the other guides on learnfinancialstrategy.com. You will find information on handling your teen’s taxes, how many mortgages you can have, and how many mutual funds you should own.
