Just days after CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed he will be taking two months’ paternity leave, Facebook has updated its global paid baby leave policy to include four months of paid baby leave for new fathers and mothers.
In what will be a shot across the bows of many organisations in the war for talent, Facebook has declared its intention to become one of the top businesses for families.
No doubt the decision will be swiftly emulated by Silicon Valley companies keen to retain and attract talented workers.
The four months leave policy will come into effect in every country and office in which Facebook operates, including Ireland.
It’s the right thing to do
Facebook said last night that it is offering four months’ leave for all new parents in its global offices “because we believe it’s the right thing to do”.
Lori Goler, vice president of human resources and recruiting at Facebook said: “I am proud to announce today that we are extending our parental leave policy for full-time employees to cover four months of paid baby leave for all new parents, no matter their gender or where in the world they live.
‘We believe that fathers and mothers alike deserve the same level of support when they are starting and growing a family, regardless of how they define family’
– LORI GOLER, FACEBOOK
“This expanded benefit primarily affects new fathers and people in same-sex relationships outside the US. It will not alter the existing maternity leave currently available to all employees worldwide.”
Goler said that Facebook wants to be there for its employees at all stages of their lives and an important part of this is offering paid parental leave.
According to Pew Research, almost half of fathers are worried that they don’t spend enough time with their children.
“In reviewing our parental leave policies, we have decided to make this change because it’s the right thing to do for our people and their families. Studies show that when working parents take time to be with their newborns, outcomes are better for the children and families. For too long, paid baby leave has been granted only to a mother who is giving birth. We believe that fathers and mothers alike deserve the same level of support when they are starting and growing a family, regardless of how they define family,” Goler said.
And so, starting on 1 January 2016, all new dads and same-sex partners at Facebook will receive four months of paid leave to bond with a new baby, whether they are the primary caregiver or not.
“All new parents in all of our offices worldwide, including those who had or adopted a baby in 2015 and were Facebook employees at the time, will be eligible. The leave can be taken at any point up to a year after the baby is born. Taking parental leave is a very personal decision, but we want to be able to provide our people with the support and flexibility to take the time they need,” Goler said.
Father and baby image via Shutterstock
