You're right, it is quite difficult to put a number on the duration of this leave, as there is a lot of variability from one person to another. One thing is certain: Everyone who has taken advantage of the 18-week maternity leave has greatly appreciated it. According to our data, we even see that these individuals have higher scores for psychological well-being at work once they return. So we see the benefits of the 18-week leave.
Could the leave be longer in some cases? We know there are some cases where, after maternity leave, mothers still requested sick leave because they weren't ready yet. On the other hand, we also have mothers who returned to work earlier and didn't take the full 18 weeks. As I mentioned, it varies greatly from person to person. However, I think the 18-week leave already seems like a good compromise.
The problem we have in Quebec is that the person who did not carry the child—whether the father or the partner—is not taken into consideration at all in this type of leave. Instead, they have to resort to unpaid leave or sick leave, among other options, as we discussed earlier. So I think it's very important that the bill apply to both parents.
Also, I don't know if this is something the bill can include, but awareness really needs to be raised in workplaces about bereavement. I am very concerned about perinatal bereavement, which includes the loss of a child during pregnancy. This is still a taboo subject in organizations. I think people are all very compassionate and want to do the right thing, but they don't know how to address this issue or how to support employees. There are all kinds of measures, such as a gradual return to work, that can be of enormous help to those who are grieving.
During the pandemic, there were a number of difficult aspects. You mentioned this. However, there is one positive aspect that has been reported to us, and that is the fact that mothers appreciated the opportunity to work from home. When they were experiencing more intense emotions, they could take a short break and be at home, rather than in front of all their colleagues. So employers should also have this flexibility. This may not be the bill's main goal, but it can still raise awareness of this issue in the workplace.