What is Maternity Leave?
Maternity leave is a period of absence from work granted to a mother before and after the birth of her child. It gives expecting and new mothers the necessary time away from their jobs to go through pregnancy, childbirth, and the initial months of caring for their baby, while still maintaining employment.
This time off is typically provided by employers and may be accompanied by various benefits, such as continued pay or job security. The duration of maternity leave and the specific benefits associated with it can vary widely by country and employer.