Maternity leave refers to a period of time off that a mother receives before or after having a baby. In the United States, employers are not obliged to offer paid maternity leave to their employees; however maternity leave is offered as a benefit, therefore maternity the length of maternity leave, depends on the organization.

Under the Family and Medical Leave Act, US employers (with 50 or more employees) are required to allow mothers to take up to 12 weeks off for the purpose of child rearing or pregnancy, while holding a worker’s job and health insurance in place.