Maternity leave policies allow employed mothers time off from work to care for and bond with a newborn or newly adopted child. However, the amount of paid leave offered and the length of total leave can vary greatly between countries. In the United States, there are currently no federal laws requiring paid maternity leave. According to a report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the U.S. is the only country out of 41 nations that does not mandate any paid leave for new parents.
Key Statistics
- According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 66% of women with a child under age 1 were in the labor force in 2019.
- The average length of maternity leave in the U.S. is 10 weeks, according to the Department of Labor.
- Just 17% of civilian workers in the U.S. have access to paid family leave as of March 2018, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
While a majority of new mothers do return to the workforce after having a baby, the length of leave and whether it’s paid or not can significantly impact those numbers. Let’s take a closer look at maternity leave policies and return to work rates for new moms in America.
U.S. Maternity Leave Policies
There is no federal law requiring private employers to provide paid maternity leave in the United States. Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993, eligible employees are entitled to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a new child, whether for birth or adoption. To qualify, employees must have worked for their employer for at least 12 months and logged 1,250 hours in the past year.
While the FMLA provides job security for new parents to take leave, the lack of income during that time places a major financial strain on many American families. Some companies do voluntarily offer paid maternity leave beyond what is federally mandated, but it is estimated that only 13% of private sector workers have access to paid family leave.
State Paid Family Leave
In lieu of federal policy, some U.S. states have enacted their own paid family and medical leave programs over the past several years. These state policies provide partial wage replacement for workers taking time off for reasons covered under the FMLA, including parental leave.
Here are the 7 states currently offering paid family leave programs:
- California – Up to 6 weeks of paid leave at 60-70% wage replacement
- New Jersey – Up to 6 weeks paid at 67% wage replacement
- Rhode Island – Up to 4 weeks paid at 60% wage replacement
- New York – Up to 10 weeks paid at 67% wage replacement starting 2021
- Washington – Up to 12 weeks paid at 90% wage replacement starting 2020
- Massachusetts – Up to 12 weeks paid at 80% of wages up to 50% of state average weekly wage starting 2021
- District of Columbia – Up to 8 weeks paid at 90% wage replacement starting 2020
Several more states have passed paid family leave laws that are scheduled to take effect within the next few years. The benefit duration and amount vary, but overall there is a trend toward more generous paid leave at the state level.
Company Paid Leave Policies
Some companies also go beyond the legal minimums to offer more extensive paid maternity, paternity, and parental leave. However, this mainly includes large corporations and tech companies trying to recruit top talent in a competitive market.
Here are examples of generous company paid leave policies in the U.S.:
- Netflix – 1 year of paid parental leave
- Facebook – 4 months paid for new mothers and fathers
- Microsoft – Up to 20 weeks paid for birth mothers; 12 weeks paid for fathers and adoptive parents
- Ernst & Young – 16 weeks paid maternity leave; 6 weeks paid for secondary caregivers
- Pinterest – 16 weeks paid maternity leave; 14 weeks paid for fathers and adoptive parents
While most American companies still only offer the federally mandated unpaid leave, there has been some improvement in recent years. The percentage of organizations offering paid maternity leave rose from 26% in 2016 to 35% in 2018, according to the Society for Human Resource Management.
Maternity Leave Length
The standard maternity leave period granted under the FMLA is 12 weeks of job-protected leave. However, the actual time new mothers take off can vary based on a number of factors.
According to a survey by the Department of Labor, the average maternity leave length in the U.S. is 10 weeks. But around half of mothers are taking off 5 weeks or less. Just 20% reported taking the full 12 weeks allowed under current federal law.
Access to paid leave also has a significant impact. Mothers with paid maternity leave take an average of 11 weeks off compared to 6 weeks for those without paid leave, based on a study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Furthermore, a report from the Department of Health and Human Services found:
- Women with no paid or job-protected leave take an average of 11 weeks off.
- Women with paid leave but no protections take an average of 13 weeks.
- Women with both paid leave and job protections take an average of 16 weeks of maternity leave.
Overall, access to some form of paid leave appears to double the actual time mothers can afford to take off from work for the birth of a child.
International Comparison
Compared to other countries, maternity leave in the U.S. is very brief. The International Labour Organization recommends a minimum standard of 14 weeks paid leave for new mothers. All other OECD member countries meet or exceed this guideline.
Here is how U.S. leave compares internationally:
- Canada – 17 weeks paid at 55% of wages
- United Kingdom – 52 weeks, 90% pay for 6 weeks then flat rate for 33 weeks
- Germany – 14 weeks paid at 100% of salary
- France – 16 weeks paid at 100% of salary
- Sweden – 68 weeks paid at 77.6% of salary up to a ceiling
Most developed nations offer at least 3 months fully paid maternity leave, with many providing 6 months or more. The lack of paid parental leave in the U.S. leaves many mothers with impossible choices between their careers, finances, and taking care of a newborn child.
Return to Work Rates
Despite the relatively short leaves common in America, a majority of mothers do return to work after giving birth. However, many factors influence the length of time out of the workforce and return to employment patterns.
Within 12 Months of Birth
According to a census study, over 70% of women who worked during pregnancy were employed again within 12 months after giving birth. Breaking it down further:
- 54% had returned to work within 6 months
- 17% returned between 6-12 months
- 25% had not returned within the first year
Among mothers with paid leave of 10 weeks or longer, 89% had returned to work within 12 months. But for mothers who took no formal leave, the return rate was only 56% in the first year.
Full Year After Birth
Looking at labor force participation rates of new mothers after a full year provides more insight into long-term return to work trends.
Based on an analysis from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employed women are much more likely to be working 1 year post-childbirth compared to 6 months after birth. This indicates many women return to jobs on a gradual basis over the full first year.
Specifically, labor force participation rates show:
- 65% of mothers were working 6 months after birth
- 77% of mothers were working 12 months after birth
Overall, over three-fourths of women are back at work within 1 year of having a child. Many experts attribute this high return rate to financial necessity and the high cost of childcare causing mothers to prioritize returning to employment.
Pre-Baby Employment Levels
While most new mothers do return to work relatively quickly, it often takes longer to return to their same pre-baby working hours and compensation.
One study found that even women working full-time pre-childbirth often shift to part-time in the year following birth. The percentage working full-time dropped from 90% pre-birth to 70% at 1 year postpartum.
In terms of regaining incomes, research shows:
- 27% of mothers earned lower hourly wages after childbirth
- 20% change employers, often taking cuts in salary and responsibility
- 10% have partners who take higher paying jobs, allowing them to stay home or go part-time
While regaining employment quickly is a priority for most new mothers, rebuilding their careers fully can take years. Workplace bias against mothers and lack of support systems are still barriers many women face.
Factors Impacting Return Rates
The speed and level at which mothers return to work varies significantly based on individual circumstances and demographics.
Education
Maternal education is one of the biggest predictors of labor force re-entry. According to the U.S. Census Bureau:
- 82% of mothers with a bachelor’s degree are employed within 12 months of giving birth.
- 69% of mothers with some college education or an associate degree return to work within 12 months.
- Only 55% of mothers who did not attend college are back at work within 1 year.
Higher levels of education typically lead to greater career opportunities and earning potential for women. College-educated mothers tend to return to work more quickly, while those without degrees stay home longer.
Race
Return to work trends also differ by race and ethnicity of the mother. Statistics from the Bureau of Labor show:
- 75% of Asian mothers are employed within a year of giving birth.
- 73% of White mothers are employed within a year.
- 69% of Hispanic mothers return to work within a year.
- 67% of Black mothers return to work within a year.
The lower return rates for Hispanic and Black mothers are linked to labor and wage discrimination faced by women of color. Lack of access to paid family leave also hits lower-income families harder.
Marital Status
Marital status correlates strongly with return to work as well. Per census data:
- 85% of married mothers are employed again within 12 months of giving birth.
- 62% of single mothers have returned to work within 12 months.
Single mothers have a much tougher road returning to employment without a partner to provide financial support or childcare assistance. Lower-income single moms also have fewer resources to afford childcare costs.
Number of Children
Mothers are slower to return to employment with the birth of additional children. Statistics show:
- 75% of women returned to work within a year of having their first child.
- 69% returned within a year of having a second child.
- 63% returned within a year of having a third child.
Caring for multiple young children at once creates greater work-family conflicts. Having more kids generally stretches household budgets as well, making paid employment more essential.
Access to Paid Leave
One of the most influential factors enabling mothers to return to work is access to paid maternity leave. Studies consistently show significant differences in return rates based on paid leave availability including:
- Women with paid leave are 29% more likely to be working 1-3 years after birth compared to those without paid leave.
- Women who take paid leave breastfeed for longer, leading to health benefits for children.
- Paid leave reduces infant mortality rates and raises overall child health outcomes.
- Mothers with paid leave have higher future earnings, employment rates and wage growth.
Both paid leave policies and flexible work options play a major role in determining how soon mothers can manage returning to employment after having a baby. More generous maternity leave correlates strongly with higher return rates and work continuity for women.
Conclusion
Most new mothers in America return to work within a year of giving birth, driven by financial obligations and lack of parental leave compared to other countries. However, regaining full pre-baby employment levels often takes years and many women shift to reduced or flexible work arrangements.
Access to paid family leave has the biggest positive impact on enabling mothers to take adequate time off and return to careers smoothly. There is a clear societal need for more progressive parental leave and childcare policies in the U.S. to support working families.