Should All Companies Offer Longer Paid Leave for New Parents?

On-demand video provider Netflix announced in a blog post on Tuesday that it now offers one year of fully paid leave to both moms and dads after a child’s birth or adoption.

Tawni Cranz, Chief Talent Officer for Netflix, wrote:

We want employees to have the flexibility and confidence to balance the needs of their growing families without worrying about work or finances. Parents can return part-time, full-time, or return and then go back out as needed. We’ll just keep paying them normally, eliminating the headache of switching to state or disability pay. Each employee gets to figure out what’s best for them and their family, and then works with their managers for coverage during their absences.

The company already offers unlimited time off.

Employees in offices around the country started buzzing about the change, and many used the comment section of Cranz’s post to praise the Netflix initiative.

Philly Poska wrote, “I wish the whole world operated like this! Well done, netflix! You are a class act!”

Kimberly Bacher said, “Very impressive. Are you hiring?”

While Carlos Donze added, “Amazing! Thank you for thinking about Dads too!”

Related: Netflix is Hiring

Professionals weighed in on the merits of the action. Macey Holme, who works in HR in New York, wrote, “As a senior executive manager, I give kudos to Netflix for implementing a policy to support parents during the first year, as it is crucial for development and nurturing...How many parents quit after they have a child because the work/life balance is too much?”

And attorney Ashley Felton added, “This is a conversation every U.S. employer should be having. Thank you for leading the way alongside other responsible companies seeking to promote healthy work-life balance.”

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But not all comments were positive. Some called it a publicity stunt, while others believe the policy is not sustainable.

Callie Lecakes of Florida wrote, “Will a year off be available to those of us opting not to have kids due to personal or medical choice?”

While Dwight Tosh of Canada said, “I can’t believe how far this world has to go to cater to people who don’t want to work but want to be paid.”

--Image via Patch Archive