Maternity Leave Extended to 14 Weeks With Parallel Leave Increases
On the 13th, the Legislative Yuan passed amendments to parts of the Gender Equality in Employment Act and the Employment Insurance Act on third reading, extending maternity leave before and after childbirth for female employees from the current 8 weeks to 14 weeks. Prenatal checkup leave increases from 7 days to 14 days, and any remaining prenatal checkup leave days may be combined into maternity leave with employer consent; accompanying prenatal examination and paternity leave also increases from 7 days to 14 days, strengthening protections across pregnancy, childbirth, and accompanying care together, giving employees more complete time arrangements during the childbearing stage.
Tiered Miscarriage Leave Adjusted, Parental Leave Extended to Age 9
Tiered miscarriage leave is adjusted by length of pregnancy, with those miscarrying after 3 months or more of pregnancy remaining at 4 weeks; those miscarrying after 2 months and under 3 months of pregnancy increasing from 1 week to 2 weeks; and those miscarrying under 2 months of pregnancy extended from 5 days to 10 days. In addition, the eligible age for unpaid parental leave is relaxed from children under age 3 to under age 9, extending the period parents may apply for leave to care for children and helping align work and family needs by stage of child development.
Near-Term Business Challenge Is Staffing and Cover Arrangements
104 Job Bank observes that increased maternity, prenatal checkup, and accompanying paternity-related leave poses the most direct near-term challenge for businesses in workforce scheduling and job coverage, with a more pronounced impact on small and medium-sized enterprises with leaner staffing. However, if businesses implement parent-friendly systems, it will help improve employee identification, reduce departures due to childbirth, and thereby improve overall corporate talent retention, with a positive effect on long-term workforce stability.
Greater Employee Protections Require Rebuilding a Three-Way Balance
For employees, increased maternity, prenatal checkup, and accompanying paternity-related leave provides more time and protection during pregnancy, childbirth, and early childcare, reducing the impact of childbirth on work and life, and also helps partners share family caregiving responsibilities. The job bank notes that overall the system gives employees more protection, but both businesses and employees will need to readjust work arrangements, and how to strike a balance among employee rights, team workloads, and business operations will be an important issue to watch after the new system takes effect.