> "I don't know what it is, but US companies seem to have a real issue with taking a "European" approach to this work-life balance matter."
Much of it is because US companies pay a higher proportion of the costs for things like parental leave (if they provide it at all) since the government does not pick up the bill. In some cases, the government mandates that companies pay for work-life benefits, but provides no funding to support them. If you are a large, stable company with predictable revenue, this may be ok. If you are a small company or a startup without significant outside investment, it is a different matter entirely.
The question of parental leave is easy when the government picks up the bill and that society as a whole has agreed to subsidize child production.
Much of it is because US companies pay a higher proportion of the costs for things like parental leave (if they provide it at all) since the government does not pick up the bill. In some cases, the government mandates that companies pay for work-life benefits, but provides no funding to support them. If you are a large, stable company with predictable revenue, this may be ok. If you are a small company or a startup without significant outside investment, it is a different matter entirely.
The question of parental leave is easy when the government picks up the bill and that society as a whole has agreed to subsidize child production.