The United States is far behind much of the rest of the world when it comes to recognizing and rewarding the advantages of paid leave for new parents. Some countries like Sweden offer parents rights protected by law to spend the essential time necessary to raise a child in the early years of development, while the US has no federal laws. Only a handful of states offer up to 6 weeks at a greatly reduced wage.

In Sweden, mothers and fathers share 480 days of paid leave that can be spread out from 60 days prior to expected delivery up until the child turns 8. They are paid at 80% of benefits-based income (compared to 55% for 6 weeks in California). The idea is that parenting should be a shared responsibility between both parents, particularly during the early development stages of childhood.

Here’s a breakdown of how other countries treat their parent employees. Click to enlarge.

(Via: Mindflash. H/T: Mobility Vehicle Financing)