In the United States, maternity leave laws vary by state. Sometimes referred to as parental leave, maternity leave is an employee benefit. When a parent welcomes a child into the home via birth or adoption, maternity leave allows for unpaid or paid time off. In the United States, an employee usually has to earn parental leave by working for a predetermined time period. Most states allow for 6 weeks of leave. There are a few, including Oregon, that provide up to three months of maternity leave for new parents. Globally, the average maternity leave is 12 weeks. It's important to note that while fathers typically qualify for benefits under maternity leave laws, it is the mother who reaps the liberal benefits.