Parental Leave: How Much Time Off Do Companies Give?

When it comes to your company’s parental leave policy, how does it compare to the Best Workplaces for Parents?

Becoming a parent is a time of great excitement and great planning. There are plenty of things to organize before welcoming a new child into your family — from picking the right stroller to organizing your parental leave.

The United States is still the odd one out globally — no federal parental leave policy, unlike other wealthy nations. But on a slightly more positive note: Companies are stepping up (or at least holding steady). According to SHRM’s 2024 Benefits Survey, 40% of employers are offering paid parental leave, matching last year’s numbers. So, while we’re not exactly racing ahead, we’re not rolling backward either.

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Great Place To Work? Certified? companies are known to prioritize supporting new parents with robust parental leave policies and special practices catered to parents. These include things like new parent buddies, support for couples in various stages of their fertility journey, and foster care parental leave.

Great Place To Work analyzed data from more than half a million employees with parenting responsibilities to create a list of the Fortune Best Workplaces for Parents?. We found that managerial support, flexibility, meaningful work, and a focus on psychological and emotional health do more than support working parents — they lead to higher engagement, reduced stress, and increased productivity among employees.

Generous parental leave policies and ample time off are important pieces of this puzzle, but they’re not the whole story.

Because here’s the thing: Parental leave isn’t just about the policy — it’s about how it works in real life. Longer leave doesn’t automatically mean better leave. What matters most is whether employees feel they can actually take that leave without worrying about their jobs or promotions.

Too often, companies write great policies but stop short of the follow-through: Leadership at every level needs to make those benefits feel safe to use.

Because let’s be real: Decent leave you can take beats amazing leave that’s just a line in the handbook. (Of course, amazing leave and the freedom to take it? Now, that’s what makes a workplace truly great.)

Curious to know how your company’s paid parental leave policy compares to the Best Workplaces for Parents? Read on.

How much maternity leave do most companies give?

Maternity leave in the U.S. is a patchwork at best. On average, working moms get around 10 weeks off — paid and unpaid combined — but it’s a complete lottery depending on where you work.

Only 27% of employees have access to paid family leave, and most rely on the 12 weeks of unpaid leave offered under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). And let’s not forget: You only qualify for FMLA if you’ve clocked 1,250 hours at a company that is large enough to be included in the Act.

By comparison, mothers who work at the Best Workplaces for Parents receive an average of 15 weeks of maternity leave.

How much paternity leave do fathers get on average?

In the U.S., parents are not legally entitled to take paid parental leave, and only 27% of workers in the U.S. have access to paid paternity leave through employers.

While paid paternity leave is becoming more common, the average amount of paternity leave given by U.S. companies is one week.

Compare this to paternity leave offered by the Best Workplaces for Parents, where fathers are eligible for nearly 12 weeks of paid leave.

How much parental leave is optimal?

When it comes to maternity leave, longer isn’t just better — it’s essential. Research shows that giving moms more time off after having a baby does wonders for everyone involved. For babies, it means better health, lower infant mortality rates, and higher chances of breastfeeding success. For moms, it’s about mental health, bonding, and recovering properly — because, let’s face it, childbirth isn’t exactly a walk in the park.

The sweet spot? The International Labor Organization calls for at least 18 weeks of maternity leave and no less than 14 weeks. UNICEF recommends a full six months, or 24 weeks, as the ideal amount of time new parents should receive.

And even the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends six months. This amount of time supports breastfeeding and postpartum depression rates. Plus, countries that offer longer leave see fewer infant deaths and healthier babies.

Let all that sink in. Currently, the U.S. offers an average of 70 days for new mothers compared to UNICEF’s recommended 168 days (24 weeks). That’s a difference of 479%. Perhaps the question isn’t just whether your parental leave is competitive but whether it is healthy. Or even humane.

Top workplaces with the best parental leave policies

The Best Workplaces for Parents don’t just offer generous parental leave — they create an environment where employees feel supported in using those benefits.

On average, these workplaces provide:

15 weeks of maternity leave

Large companies offer 75 days (72 paid)

Small & medium companies offer 78 days (75 paid)

12 weeks of paternity leave

Large companies offer 61 days (53 paid)

Small & medium companies offer 54 days (52 paid)

The biotech and pharmaceutical industries showed the highest amount of parental leave, with an average of 115 days offered (95 paid) for maternity leave and 89 days offered (51 paid) for paternity leave.

The financial services and insurance sector had the lowest overall, with an average of 59 days offered (all paid) for maternity leave and an average of 48 days offered (45 days paid) for paternity leave. However, these are still well above the number of days offered by most U.S. workplaces.

Large companies with the best parental leave policies

These companies lead the way in supporting working parents through comprehensive support, including generous parental leave policies and a culture that ensures employees feel empowered to use them:

1. Cisco

California-based IT company Cisco hit the number one spot on the 2024 Best Workplaces for Parents list. Cisco has repeatedly topped our list, ranking number 1 since 2020.

Employees said they appreciate the flexibility that Cisco provides to promote work-life balance: “I love that we are given complete flexibility with remote work. As a parent, this is a HUGE benefit for me. I am able to provide at-home nanny care for my child and don’t have a commute, adding unnecessary time to a day that is already too short,” said one employee.

Number of maternity days offered: 65 (65 paid)

Number of paternity days offered: 65 (65 paid)

2. NVIDIA

NVIDIA is another IT company that puts parents first with their care — it offers a whopping 110 days of paid maternity leave (among one of the highest amounts on our list). The company also jumped up two spots from its 2023 ranking.

Employees say that NVIDIA is about people, not policies. “NVIDIA offers benefits I've not seen at other organizations, like the Quarterly Free Days (two extra days off each quarter), where the whole company takes time to relax and rebuild resiliency. Plus, NVIDIA has a big emphasis on family, offering support for infertility and different kinds of families, including adoption, not just standard maternity/paternity packages.”

Number of maternity days offered: 110 (110 paid)

Number of paternity days offered: 60 (60 paid)

3. Hilton

Global hotel chain Hilton jumped three spots on our list from its 2023 ranking and stands out among U.S. employers for its parental leave policies and commitment to work-life balance.

One employee said she particularly appreciated how flexible Hilton is when it comes to her family’s needs: “As a new mother, Hilton and my manager are SO flexible for doctors appts or if she needs to be with me on a call because she’s sick. With ample vacation time too I really feel like I'm encouraged to recharge for myself and to connect with my family.”

Number of maternity days offered: 60 (60 paid)

Number of paternity days offered: 20 (60 paid)

4. Bain & Company, Inc.

Consultancy firm Bain & Company offers one of the highest amounts of parental leave on our list — and all of it is paid leave for both mothers and fathers. This supportive atmosphere comes not just from management but also from fellow “Bainies” who are willing to help out when their coworkers need it.

“Never have I had someone turn me down when I asked for help with a project or to take off to support myself or my family,” said one employee. “The culture is full of Bainies who will go the extra mile.”

Number of maternity days offered: 105 (105 paid)

Number of paternity days offered: 105 (105 paid)

5. American Express

Global payments company American Express puts families first with its generous parental policies and benefits coverage, which includes support for family planning. In addition to 100 days of paid leave for both new mothers and fathers, the company’s benefits can help with the costs of adoption and surrogacy.

Said one employee: “As a parent or person in a family, the tools that Amex provides for people to grow their families is tremendous. There’s comprehensive coverage to support significant costs of adoption, surrogacy and conception/maternity needs. Followed by a super generous family leave policy to enable all parents to be present for their new family members that arrive through birth or adoption. Paid family leave during such a pivotal growth moment is rare in this country, and the length of time Amex provides for its employees is truly amazing.”

Number of maternity days offered: 100 (100 paid)

Number of paternity days offered: 100 (100 paid)

6. Comcast NBCUniversal

This global media and tech company streams entertainment, sports, and news to customers across the U.S. and Europe. Among the benefits employees cite are offers from the company to help pay for childcare services before and after school, during the summer vacation, and for last-minute situations.

“Having a family and living far away from the physical office location, I LOVE and appreciate the hybrid work model that allows me to do the job I love in a way where I have a healthy work-life balance,” said one employee. “Our leadership giving us and fighting for that flexibility holds tremendous value for me as a working mom.”

Number of maternity days offered: 100 (80 paid)

Number of paternity days offered: 100 (80 paid)

7. Fannie Mae

Mortgage financier Fannie Mae’s mission is to facilitate equitable access to homeownership and affordable rental housing across America — and its commitment to this carries over into its generous parental leave policies and flexible work arrangements. This year marks Fannie Mae’s debut on the Best Workplaces for Parents list.

“Fannie Mae cares greatly about work-life balance and offers flexible work options including remote, hybrid, and on-site work options, leave for new parents and grandparents, competitive vacation allowances, flexible Fridays, home purchase and home catastrophe leave, and caregiver leave,” said one employee.

Number of maternity days offered: 60 (60 paid)

Number of paternity days offered: 60 (60 paid)

8.  Deloitte

New York-based Deloitte offers audit, consulting, tax, and advisory services. The company promises a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and purpose, which can be seen in its generous parental leave policies. Deloitte offers 120 paid days of maternity leave, which is one of the highest allotments on our list.

“When I had my children, I thought the time off and support we received was fantastic, but it’s even better now,” said one employee. “Not only do mothers get paid time off, but so do fathers. And the benefits also apply to parents who are adopting! I have also seen first-hand the support our leaders and their families receive in cases of death or disability. The sense of partnership is truly extraordinary.”

Number of maternity days offered: 120 (120 paid)

Number of paternity days offered: 80 (paid)

9. Zillow Group

Seattle-based Zillow is the most visited real estate website in the U.S. The company jumped over 20 spots this year into our top 10 and offers one of the most generous maternity leave policies on our list, with 20 paid weeks for new mothers.

Employees say the company helps them to maintain a healthy work-life balance: “Management truly takes work-life balance seriously and wants us to enjoy our time with our loved ones,” said one employee.

Number of maternity days offered: 100 (100 paid)

Number of paternity days offered: 60 (60 paid)

10. PricewaterhouseCoopers

With the highest allotment of maternity and paternity leave among the top 10 large companies, New York-based PricewaterhouseCoopers demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting families. Generous benefits and workplace flexibility, such as phased returns post-maternity leave, mean that employees can continue to be there for their families even after they return to work.

“The flexibility to continue pumping to feed my baby and to care for sick children makes being a full-time working mom possible,” said one employee.

Number of maternity days offered: 130 (105 paid)

Number of paternity days offered: 130 (60 paid)

Small & medium-sized companies with the best parental leave policies

When it comes to supporting working parents, these small and medium-sized businesses go beyond the basics. Sure, they offer generous parental leave policies. But what really sets them apart? They’ve created workplaces where parents actually feel supported — and not just on paper.

Here’s our 2024 list of the Best Workplaces for Parents among SMBs.

1. WestPac Wealth Partners

Financial services company WestPac says it gives clients the confidence to take control of their lives and build a clear path to their financial future. This attitude applies to its parental leave policies, too, and the company has retained a spot on our parents list for the fifth year in a row, with 90 days of leave for both new mothers and fathers.

“Compassion — the firm is committed to family health, personal and mental health. It promotes a balanced work-family life through its organizational culture, and I see employees are happier here than at other places.”

Number of maternity days offered: 90 (90 paid)

Number of paternity days offered: 90 (90 paid)

2. IntraFi LLC

Financial services company IntraFi jumped up nearly 20 spots on our list, with a commitment to work-life balance and generous parental leave policies of 60 paid days for both new mothers and fathers.

“Management sincerely cares about employees and in fostering a great company culture,” said one employee. “Work-life balance is strong, and they have struck a great balance with hybrid/remote work while still maintaining culture and incorporating new hires.”

Number of maternity days offered: 90 (60 paid)

Number of paternity days offered: 60 (60 paid)

3. Braze

With a whopping 140 paid days, IT company Braze has the highest maternity leave allowance on our list. The company’s commitment to diversity and its support for work-life balance are just some of the reasons employees say they like working there.

“The culture is truly welcoming and diverse. People are genuinely kind and want to help, and it’s very easy to approach each other,” said one employee. “It’s easy to take time off for emergencies or mental health days, and people are willing to take on some of your work during crunch time.”

Number of maternity days offered: 140 (140 paid)

Number of paternity days offered: 80 (80 paid)

4. Mercury

Mercury is a relatively young company (launched in 2019) that offers banking services for startups. Despite still being a new workplace, Mercury offers a generous parental leave policy of 80 paid days for new mothers and 60 paid days for fathers. The company jumped up two spots from its 2023 ranking.

“I truly feel like the company values their employees as people and takes feedback seriously. There is also a great work-life balance and very accommodating to families and other people who might need flexibility in their schedules.”

Number of maternity days offered: 80 (80 paid)

Number of paternity days offered: 60 (60 paid)

5. Greenhouse

New York-based IT firm Greenhouse offers 80 paid days of parental leave for both new mothers and new fathers. Employees said they feel supported by the company, both while pregnant and during their time off.

Here’s what one Greenhouse employee said about the parental leave policy: “As a first-time parent, I felt extremely supported by Greenhouse throughout my pregnancy and parental leave. Greenhouse and my managers gave me time and space to heal and bond with my little one, which goes a long way as a new parent. I feel that Greenhouse does an exceptional job supporting employees through different phases of life.”

Number of maternity days offered: 80 (80 paid)

Number of paternity days offered: 80 (80 paid)

6. Insmed

Biopharmaceutical company boasts a generous policy of 70 paid days for maternity leave and 40 paid days for paternity leave.

“Insmed values not only its employees but our families as well.”

Number of maternity days offered: 70 (70 paid)

Number of paternity days offered: 40 (40 paid)

7. ezCater, Inc.

Boston-based IT company ezCater offers 90 paid days for new mothers and 60 paid days for new fathers. Employees say they appreciate the company’s flexibility, especially with unlimited PTO, which makes it easier to care for their families.

“The unlimited time off and balance between personal and work life is ESSENTIAL, and this company is so understanding,” said one employee. “I have never worked for a company that actually puts time and love into their employees.”

Number of maternity days offered: 90 (90 paid)

Number of paternity days offered: 60 (60 paid)

8. Highlight Technologies

Highlight Technologies offers 60 days off for both new mothers and fathers. The company has an employee-owned model, which creates a supportive workplace where every employee feels like they are heard.

When asked what makes the company unique, one employe said, “I feel truly cared about. I've never worked for a company that allows for the work-life balance this company provides.”

Number of maternity days offered: 60 (20 paid)

Number of paternity days offered: 60 (20 paid)

9. Invisors

Atlanta-based IT firm Invisors offers 60 paid days of parental leave to both new mothers and fathers. Employees said the company provides a solid work-life balance and a collaborative working environment.

“It feels like family,” said one employee. “People are very understanding that we have lives outside of work. People genuinely want to help others. We do things even if they’re not part of our day-to-day job.”

Number of maternity days offered: 60 (60 paid)

Number of paternity days offered: 60 (60 paid)

10. FloQast, Inc.

Finance and accounting IT company FloQast offers a generous policy of 80 paid days for maternity leave and 60 paid days for paternity leave. Employees say that the company is collaborative and supportive, with everyone invested in each other’s success.

“I’m continually amazed at HR — they must not have gone to the same “HR school” that makes HR people at most companies horrible to work with. They’re really great at FloQast. I know they personally care for me — speaking from conversations I’ve had with them over the years, and how much they delight in improving benefits and making things easier for us all.”

Number of maternity days offered: 80 (80 paid)

Number of paternity days offered: 60 (60 paid)

Benchmark your workplace against the best

The Best Workplaces for Parents aren’t just about policies on paper — they’re about how those policies come to life. Sure, paid parental leave matters. But what really sets these companies apart is how they create a culture that builds trust, gives parents purpose, and makes the workplace better for everyone.

Think your workplace has what it takes to make the list? Getting Certified is your first step. It’s not just an award — it shows you how your culture measures up across 60+ areas.

See if your company can be eligible for our awards and learn about Great Place To Work Certification? today.