Paid Maternity and Paternity Leaves in Iceland

New parents in Iceland have benefited from new laws that allow the father of a child to take part of the 9 month leave allowed for new parents with 80% of full pay.

The law stipulates that the woman and the man each have an independent right to a 3 month leave, and they can divide 3 months between them as they please. Usually the woman takes 6 months off and the man 3. This law has resulted in a larger number of fathers using their right to a paternity leave than expected. Some mothers choose to take up to 12 months leave with ½ the benefits, dependent on employer approval.

Parents are generally happy with the arrangement and some say it has improved the status of women in the workplace as young men now pose equal "risk" as women of having to take time off when they have children.

Posted on: Feb 06 2006 in The People