Black women are less likely to have access to company paid leave than white women. This is especially daunting for Black women in the United States. According to the World Economic Forum, the United States is the only wealthy country that does not offer a federal parental leave policy for working moms.
Around the world, more than 120 countries offer paid maternity leave and health benefits. The Czech Republic leads the way for the most maternity leave at 28 weeks, followed by Hungary at 24 weeks, Italy at 20 weeks, Canada at 17 weeks, and Spain and Romania at 16 weeks. In the United States, the average maternity leave sits at just 29 days or four weeks.
Despite the United States trailing behind, there are a few companies getting it right. Check out these companies that are leading the way for maternity leave and healthcare benefits for working moms.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Based in Houston, Hewlett Packard Enterprise is consistently ranked as one of the top companies for parental leave. The company overs up to 26 weeks of paid leave for both primary and secondary caregivers. They also offer parental transition support programs that allow new parents to work part time for up to 36 months to ease back into work. The company also offers a hybrid workplace, which makes it easier for working moms to manage childcare.
Bank of America
Bank of America has consistently shown their support for family, caregivers and work-life balance through their policies. For the first year after childbirth or adoption, all parents receive 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave. The company offers an additional unpaid 10 weeks of parental leave with job protection. Outside of medical care, they also provide family building assistance and caregiver support.
Hilton
As a company known for bringing people together, Hilton employees boast that the company offers some of the best benefits. Employees who work 30 hours per week and who have been with the company for at least a year receive four weeks of 100 percent paid leave. Birthing parents receive an additional eight weeks of 100 percent paid leave after the birth of your child.
The company’s Care for All platform offers actionable and encouraging information for employees caring for children, aging parents, or sick or disabled family members. Hilton also offers all caregivers access to a caregiving concierge through its partner, Wellthy.
Deloitte
One benefit that caregivers at Deloitte appreciate is the work-from-home work model that allows flexibility for working moms. The company also offers a paid family leave program that provides employees up to 16 weeks of paid leave. It can be used all at once or in increments.
S&P Global
Whether full-time or part-time, S&P Global provides paid parental leave of 26 weeks for all employees as soon as they are hired. S&P’s working moms are able to take the leave within 12 months of the birth, adoption, surrogacy or foster care placement of a child.