Mothers and Fathers Welcome 2026: Shortening Parental Leave Could Bring Tens of Billions Annually

Shortening parental leave could bring tens of billions annually.
The Mothers and Fathers Welcome 2026 conference opened a discussion on the need for systemic change

The current model of parental leave in Czechia is among the longest in the world and, at the same time, has significant economic and social impacts. The persistent gender pay gap
stands at 18.5%, one of the highest levels in the European Union, and according to economic models, an earlier return of some parents to the labour market could bring public budgets around CZK 35 billion annually in taxes and social and health insurance contributions paid by employees and employers.

The need to modernize parental leave in the Czech Republic was highlighted by the conference
Mothers and Fathers Welcome 2026, organized by Business for Society in cooperation with key partners from among responsible companies and other organizations. This year’s partners of the event were Heineken Czech Republic, ČEZ, a.s. and Česká spořitelna, a.s., which are among the leaders in supporting parents, and the Swedish Embassy in Prague.

The conference opened one of the most important topics of recent years in the area of family policy. According to representatives of Business for Society and other stakeholders, the current model is no longer aligned with the reality of the labour market, demographic development, or the changing lifestyle of young families. “We opened the topic of systemic change in parental leave as early as 2024, when a unique economic analysis was also presented,” says Pavel Štern, Director of Business for Society. “This year’s edition, however, moved the discussion significantly further – towards practical impacts and concrete solutions that reflect the needs of both employers and families.”

Employers themselves are also increasingly pointing to the limits of the current system. Practical experience shows that systemic change will not be possible without their active involvement. Responsible companies also confirm that supporting parents is not only a matter of social responsibility, but also a strategic investment in the future of the labour market. Among the companies that have long been engaged in this topic is Heineken Czech Republic, which supports flexible working models and parents’ return to employment.

Parental leave and the labour market: a system that is ceasing to work

The current three-year parental leave model has a major impact on the position of women in the labour market. Although parental leave is formally available to fathers as well, in practice it is taken by women in 98% of cases, which often leads to a complicated return to employment, a decline in the qualification level of positions held
and long-term differences in remuneration. These impacts are also reflected in women’s overall economic situation, including their pension security. This problem has long been highlighted
by international economic studies, including research by Nobel Prize laureate Claudia Goldin.

The economic impact of change

The economic analysis presented at the conference showed that a change in the system could have a significant positive impact on public finances and the functioning of the labour market. If some parents returned to employment earlier, it would generate significant revenue for public budgets without the need to increase overall state expenditure on parental benefits. The change would also help alleviate labour shortages and increase the flexibility of the labour market.

A fundamental prerequisite for any adjustment to parental leave, however, is accessible and high-quality childcare. Shortening parental leave is therefore not seen as a restriction, but as an expansion of options for parents, who should have greater freedom of choice, better conditions for returning to work, and stronger support in balancing family and working life. Companies, including Heineken Czech Republic, are already showing that flexible working models can be a functional part of this solution.

Inspiration from abroad and data from Czechia

Inspiration was also provided by experience from abroad. Marie Bendegard from the Swedish Embassy presented the model of so-called “grandparental leave”, which enables wider family involvement in
childcare and contributes to greater flexibility of the system.

The discussion also confirmed that decisions about parenthood are now strongly influenced by economic factors. The birth rate in the Czech Republic has been declining over the long term and currently stands at 1.37 children per woman. Financial stability, housing affordability, and the ability to balance work and family life play a key role.

The conference also offered concrete practical experience. Dita Jacobson, Corporate Affairs Manager at Heineken Czech Republic, shared her own experience of returning to work after parental leave and emphasized the importance of support from both family and employer. “For me personally, when returning after a short maternity leave, not only support at home but also an open approach from my employer was crucial. It is important that there are companies that actively support parents and see parenthood as a natural part of a career, not as a step aside. Thanks to this, it is possible to balance work and family, especially when you can also rely on the support of your loved ones,” she said.

Business for Society will continue to open expert and public discussion on the future of parental leave and bring forward concrete proposals for solutions. Companies involved in the platform also declare their readiness to be an active part of this change. The discussion on the form of parental leave will therefore continue in the coming months.

Media Contact:

Iveta Markelová
markelova@byznysprospolecnost.cz
Business for Society
V Tůních 11, 120 00 Prague 2

Business for Society is the largest alliance of companies promoting a responsible and sustainable approach to business in Czechia. Through our involvement in international structures, we monitor new trends in sustainability, localize international standards, and open up new topics that companies in Czechia should pay attention to. We are the National Partner Organization of CSR Europe, the European platform for responsible business. Thanks to our role as the national coordinator of the European Diversity Charter, we cooperate with EU Member States and the European Commission on the development of diversity and inclusion in the labour market and society.

We bring together major companies that are among the leaders in sustainability and responsibility. We help companies integrate responsibility and sustainability into the core of their business. We open discussions with stakeholders and support the exchange of good practice and experience.