After the initiative of Lieberman and Michaeli to allow maternity leave for men, many questions began on the subject - "Israel Today" is making you order.
What is customary today?
Today, women are entitled to 15 weeks' paid maternity leave from the state, with the option to take sick leave (unpaid leave) for up to six months, and sometimes up to a year - depending on the employer. Men, on the other hand, can take three days off and three sick days. In addition, from the seventh week of a woman's maternity leave, men can replace the women on maternity leave, provided that the woman returns to work, but in practice only 1% of men exercise this entitlement.
How long will a men's maternity leave last?
At least two weeks.
In the environment of Minister Michaeli, who is behind the move, it is said that they will try to achieve improvements in the current outline and increase the period of male maternity leave.
What are the conditions for maternity leave?
Maternity leave for fathers will be possible from the 15th week of childbirth until the 26th week, provided that the woman returns to work.
For example, if the mother wishes to return to work after 20 weeks (of which 15 were paid by the state), the father will be allowed to take maternity leave from the 20th week.
How will the salary be calculated during the men's maternity leave period?
Payment will be made according to the man's salary during this period.
How much will it cost the state coffers?
The estimated cost of the move to the state coffers is hundreds of millions of shekels.
When will the new outline take effect?
The Treasury says the new outline is expected to be approved within the next state budget, starting in 2023. But for that to happen, quite a few things need to happen - first and foremost, the current coalition needs to approve the budget, which right now certainly seems like a particularly challenging task. Wait and see.
What's going on in the world?
Despite the high birth rate in Israel, the length of maternity leave for mothers is lower than the OECD average, which stands at 18 weeks.
In many European countries maternity leave lasts almost a full year of pay.
In Sweden, for example, both parents are entitled together to 480 days of maternity leave, and to a salary of 80% of their salary throughout the period.
Sweden allows both spouses to share maternity leave according to their decision.
Many countries allow men to take maternity leave, for a shorter period than women.
For example, in Japan men can go on maternity leave for seven months, in South Korea for four months, and in Norway - close to two full months.
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