Tag: Paternity Leave

The State of Paternity Leave Around the World: A Comparison of Policies and Benefits

admin   ·  

Parental leave is an essential benefit for new parents to spend time with their newborns and care for their families. Paternity leave is a benefit that allows fathers to take time off from work to bond with their newborn child and support their partner during the transition to parenthood. While not all countries provide paternity leave, many laws protect fathers’ right to take time off for this purpose. In this article, we will explore different countries’ paternity leave rights.

Sweeden

Sweden is often recognized as having the most generous paternity leave policy globally. In Sweden, fathers can take up to 480 days of paid parental leave, with 90 of those days being reserved exclusively for fathers. This leave can be taken at any point during the first eight years of the child’s life. This policy has helped promote gender equality, as fathers have been encouraged to take a more active role in childcare.

Norway

Norway has a similarly generous paternity leave policy. Fathers can take up to 15 weeks of paid paternity leave, which must be taken within six months of the child’s birth. This leave is in addition to the 49 weeks of paid parental leave available to both parents.

Canada

Canada has made strides in recent years to improve its parental leave policies. Fathers in Canada are entitled to five weeks of paid paternity leave, which must be taken within the first year of the child’s birth or adoption. Additionally, both parents can take up to 61 weeks of parental leave, which can be split between them as they see fit.

United States

The United States is one of the few developed countries that does not provide paid parental leave at the federal level. However, some states have taken steps to offer their residents with paid parental leave. In California, for example, fathers are entitled to six weeks of paid paternity leave, which is funded through the state’s disability insurance program. New York, Rhode Island, and New Jersey also provide paid paternity leave to some extent.

Australia

In Australia, fathers are entitled to two weeks of paid paternity leave, which must be taken within the first year of the child’s birth or adoption. This leave is paid at the national minimum wage. Additionally, both parents can take up to 18 weeks of unpaid parental leave, which can be taken until the child’s eighth birthday.

Many countries recognize paternity leave’s importance and its positive impact on family dynamics and gender equality. While paternity leave policies vary widely by country, the trend toward providing fathers with the opportunity to bond with their newborns is clear. As more countries adopt policies that support fathers’ rights to take time off, we can expect to see a continued improvement in the work-life balance for new parents.

Paternity Leave in Canada: What Every Father Should Know

David Pierre   ·  

Becoming a parent is a life-changing experience, I know it was for me. And those changes bring on both joy and responsibilities. For fathers, taking time off from work to be with their newborn child is integral to bonding and adjusting to the new role. In Canada, the law provides various options for fathers to take time off work for the birth or adoption of a child, including paternity leave. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of paternity leave in Canada, including your rights and benefits.

Paternity Leave in Canada

In Canada, the right to take time off work for the birth or adoption of a child is governed by federal and provincial laws. Under the federal Employment Insurance (EI) program, eligible employees can take up to 15 weeks of EI benefits for standard parental leave, which can be shared between both parents. Additionally, some provinces have their own laws providing for extended parental leave or other benefits.

To be eligible for EI benefits, you must have worked a minimum number of hours in the past 52 weeks and have a valid claim for EI benefits. To apply for EI benefits, you must provide proof of your paternity, such as a birth certificate or adoption order, and your proof of employment.

Rights and Benefits of Paternity Leave

The right to take time off work for the birth or adoption of a child is a fundamental right in Canada and is protected under federal and provincial laws. This means that your employer cannot discriminate against you or terminate your employment because you have taken paternity leave. Additionally, your job and benefits are protected while you are on leave, and you have the right to return to work at the end of your leave.

Under the EI program, eligible employees can receive benefits equal to 55% of their average weekly earnings, up to a maximum of $573 per week. These benefits are paid by the federal government and are intended to provide financial support while you are on leave.

In addition to EI benefits, some provinces have their own laws providing for extended parental leave or other benefits. For example, in Quebec, eligible employees can take up to 5 additional weeks of leave, while in British Columbia, eligible employees can take up to 8 additional weeks of leave.

Tips for Taking Paternity Leave

Taking paternity leave is important in supporting your family and bonding with your child. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your leave:

  1. Plan ahead: Start planning your leave as early as possible, including making arrangements with your employer and applying for EI benefits.
  2. Be open with your employer: Be transparent with your employer about your plans to take paternity leave, and discuss any concerns or questions you may have.
  3. Make the most of your time off: Use your time off to bond with your child and enjoy your family while also taking care of yourself and preparing for your return to work.

As a father in Canada, you have the right to take time off work for the birth or adoption of a child. By understanding your rights and benefits, and being proactive in your planning and preparation, you can make the most of your paternity leave and support your family during this exciting and challenging time.

My Life’s Decisions Made Me the Father I am

David Pierre   ·  

When Dove Men+Care approached me to help them champion paternity leave, part of their global commitment to expanding men’s opportunities to care, I felt extremely proud to get involved. It’s not just important to push for better policies around paternity leave, but also challenge the stigmas that hold fathers back from taking it. 

My personal experience tells me that when men have an expanded opportunity to care for their families through paternity leave, it has positive impacts on the man, his family and society as a whole.

It also got me thinking about the decisions that I made in my life, and how I was never going to be the type of father my dad was. And that’s a good thing. 

Throughout my life, I haven’t done what’s expected of me. 

For instance, when I was a teen and deciding which university to attend, I didn’t bother myself with petty details such as the school’s reputation or which social clubs they offered. My entire goal was to maximize the distance between the university I chose and the small town in which I grew up. I didn’t know at the time, but this decision led me down the path to one of the most important moments in my life; becoming the type of father I want to be for my amazing son, Benjamin. 

Okay, so there wasn’t anything particularly bad about the town I grew up in. It had its own “small town Alberta charm”. But the people there accepted the status quo while I’ve always questioned why things are done a certain way. I wanted to get away and figure things out for myself. 

I needed to ponder the important questions in life. For example, “Is Canadian bacon just ham?” And why do Americans go around calling their toques “beanies”? So weird. Anyway, being in a new city, Calgary, and around new people opened my eyes to a lot of the things I’d been exposed to, and naturally absorbed, during my formative years. 

If Bacon is Ham, Then What’s a Man?

It was during this time of self-discovery that I started to question the stereotypes I’d grown up with of what men and fathers should be. You see, I grew up with a very traditional father. He wasn’t a mean man and I knew that I was loved but he did lack emotional availability. Sure, he would show emotion if he was trying to fix something around the house and it wasn’t going well. If I’d done something wrong, I’d get an angry glare.Other than that, he didn’t show much emotion. I didn’t think much  of this when I was growing up because, well, that’s just how fathers are, right? That’s how my friend’s fathers were and that’s just how it was. 

It wasn’t until I’d moved away from home that I looked back and wondered why my dad discouraged the feelings I had as a boy: “Don’t cry”, and “Don’t let your feelings get in the way” are phrases I heard often from my father. I’m sure he didn’t say those things to be hurtful. He was just trying his best to make me a “man” as he understood it.

The Two-Headed Home

My father also spent a lot of time working away from home. This meant that he was away all week and home primarily on the weekends. To me, this was one of the hardest parts of growing up. During the week, our home had a certain rhythm that my mom and I were used to. But, on the weekends, it was a whole different scene. But when my dad was home, we did things his way. 

I Have More To Give

By the time I was expecting my first child, I knew the type of father I wanted to be. I wanted to emulate some characteristics of my own dad, like his patience when teaching me new skills and how he would trust me with large responsibilities. However, I also wanted to allow my son the freedom to feel and, most importantly, I wanted to be present for Benjamin and my wife on a daily basis.  

Having a newborn is difficult, and creates a whole new dynamic in the day-to-day of family life. I’ve seen many cases of well-meaning fathers try to integrate themselves into the new routines and rhythms their partners have established, while working full-time. The problem is that the routine changes so fast with a new baby that the father often ends up holding the bottle wrong or not rocking the baby well enough, leaving all parties upset and unsatisfied.  

I wanted to know all the details and be a part of my family’s new rhythm. I wanted them to know that I could bounce properly on the yoga ball (so much bouncing, blah!). These goals were best achieved by me being fully available; away from work, on a paternity leave. 

The truth is that most new or expecting fathers I talk to feel the exact same way I did. They want to be available for their families through paternity leave. Unfortunately, the stigma of what it is to be a man still exists in our society and they worry that their careers will be tarnished or that their colleagues will think less of them. 

The Stigma Ends With Me

Which is why I’m so excited to partner with Dove Men+Care to champion paternity leave and help fight the stigma holding men back from taking the time to care. 

I will never know what might have happened had I not left the small town in which I grew up. I do know, however, that my father upheld his views of fatherhood because that’s what he knew. My hope is that, by working with Dove Men+Care, we will challenge the stigma that holds fathers back from taking precious time to spend with their children and, ultimately, end these stigmas entirely for the next generation of fathers. Everyone benefits when dads take the time to care.

Check out Dove.com for resources on paternity leave.