Mandatory leave seems like a reasonable idea (you only have one bonding period, children are important).

Paid leave seems a bit.. hackish, though.

If I don't turn up for work, for whatever reason, I think any money given to me by my employer should be considered a gift. I haven't rendered services, why would I expect payment? It's a kind gesture and I'd expect anyone interested in retention / morale to do so, but coercion?

It seems more like a budgeting issue or an indication that salaries are too low to me.

Then again, I find it difficult to conceive of putting myself in a situation in which I couldn't survive for a few months without pay. Living under a bridge is more fun than making a 5% return on employment.

Basically, it's all very nice, and is better than nothing, but why are people so insecure to begin with? Can we fix that?