Final answer:
In the U.S., employees can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave under, but there is no mandate for additional paternity leave thereafter. Countries like Sweden offer extensive paid parental leave. Employers are not federally required to provide more leave once leave is exhausted, though policies differ internationally.
Step-by-step explanation:
When it comes to paternity leave, the protocol for requesting additional days off after exhausting the standard leave varies by country and employer. In the United States, under the Family and Medical Leave Act, employees are entitled to up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year for family reasons, including the birth of a child or family illness. However, once this leave is exhausted, there is no federal requirement for additional paid leave to be granted.
Contrastingly, countries like Sweden offer generous parental leave policies, providing subsidized time off of up to 480 days, which can be shared between parents. This approach has led to a social landscape where stay-at-home fathers are common and heavily involved in early childcare.
It's important to note that while a father may request additional paternity leave, unless such provisions are covered by employer policies or collective bargaining agreements, there may be no obligation for an employer to provide additional paid time off beyond what is legally mandated.
Moreover, considering the international perspective, there's a stark contrast in parental leave norms. For instance, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) points out that the United States stands out as a country without mandated paid leave for new parents, in contrast to many other countries which provide a minimum of two months of paid leave.