United Kingdom: government sets about reforming parental leave National legislation The Labour government, in office for just over a year, has pledged to drive economic growth and tackle workplace inequality. Among its priorities is a review of parental leave, with ministers promising to make the system "fairer and easier to use".
Spain: parental leave given three-week boost National legislation On 29 July 2025, Spain’s government signed off on an extension of parental leave for birth, adoption and early childcare. Each parent will gain an additional three weeks of paid leave, bringing the total to 19 weeks. One of those weeks must be taken during the child’s first year, while the remaining two can be used any time before the child turns eight.
South Korea: parental leave extended to 18 months for each parent National legislation On 11 February, the Korean government approved several decrees related to parenthood. From 23 February, parents will be able to take up to 18 months of parental leave each,…
Germany: Henkel, a pioneer of partner parental leave amid a national context that is stagnant Quality of life at work A few months ago, the Henkel group introduced a partner parental leave scheme that benefits employees in the 80 countries in which the company operates. Meanwhile the bill approved in 2023 on the same subject will remain in the drawers of Germany's Federal Ministry for Family Affairs due to political deadlocks and early elections.
Réglementaire Austria: parental leave now includes two months reserved for each parent National legislation Legislative changes have been made to parental leave to encourage a more equitable division of family duties between men and women. The new text also introduces extended care-giving leave.
Barilla offers 12 weeks’ paid parental leave Recruitment/Employer branding/employee loyalty On 10 October, the food group announced the launch of a new global company parental policy taking effect from 1 January 2024.…
Great Britain: Tesco introduces paid leave for employees who are legal guardians Recruitment/Employer branding/employee loyalty On 26 September 2023, the UK supermarket giant announced the introduction of a new category of leave for employees who are taking care of relatives’ children and for whom they are the legal guardians. This new ‘kinship leave’ means employees can be paid parental leave equivalent to that of adoptive parents.
Mexico: draft legislation to accommodate paid leave period for the care of a sick child National legislation The conservative National Action Party Senator Erandi Bermúdez Méndez is backing a bill that aims to introduce a specific paid leave into federal labour law,…
Réglementaire Luxembourg: introduction of new family leave periods for employees National legislation During the summer 2023 two laws were published in Luxembourg's Official Gazette aimed at facilitating employees’ work-life balance. Specifically, two new leave entitlements for employees assisting family members have been introduced alongside additional opportunities for flexible working. The right to a leave period on the birth of a child has also been extended to the person being recognised as the second parent.
Réglementaire Romania: parents can now benefit from additional days of remote/teleworking National legislation Law 241/2023 of 20 July 2023 grants parents of children up to the age of 11 the opportunity of 4 additional days of ‘working from home’ or teleworking per month,…
