EU Law on Maternity and Other Child-Related Leaves

EU Law on Maternity and Other Child-Related Leaves aims to put on the table the limitations and side effects of the current EU legislative framework on maternity leave. The current system is focused on the biological differences of women related to maternity. Although proven effective in protecting pregnancy, giving birth and breastfeeding – that is, the biological differences of women related to maternity – the current EU legislative framework on maternity leave tends to overlook the roles of both parents, especially during the post-delivery period of ‘bonding’ with the child. This framework, along with EU law on parental leave, which does not encourage an equal take-up of the leave, gives rise to serious issues of gender equality affecting both men and women. This deeply researched and urgent book proposes alternative options for future EU law on child-related leave that can be applied to both employees and self-employed workers to mitigate these limitations and side effects.