If you subscribe to Google Alerts, you might have noticed the recent storm of articles with the headline that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is taking two months paid paternity leave, of the four months now offered to both moms and dads by the social media giant. It’s being called a landmark move for the first millennial CEO to take the leave – a sign that the new generation puts a high premium on family life.
There’s no question that the movement to offer more paternity leave to employees has been on the rise. Most offer paid leave, and some offer unpaid leave as an option. A close look at those corporations stepping up to the plate on this offering seem to be those in the best financial position, and those with the best working environments, where ironically, men are not taking the leave as much as anticipated. Now companies seem to be trying to out-leave each other, with CreditSuisse the latest to raise the stakes, as reported in the Huffington Post.
I can’t seem to remember if my dad took leave when I was born. I’m not sure whether we bonded-I was only a few days old (we did later). I do know that he could not have done is his job from home, like so many professionals can do today. Even Mr. Zuckerberg can probably stay fairly well connected to his office if he chooses to, between late-night feedings and mid-day diaper changes.
Another advantage Mr. Zuckerberg has today is that he can spend some time during the day watching other paternity issues! He can catch some Maury, and find out the exciting conclusion to the latest paternity issues happening across the country. Or, he might catch Paternity Court, where Lauren Lake delivers DNA paternity results to those in TV court considering the custody of young children.
Which had me thinking. If I work for Facebook, and I find out one day that I’m the father of a 3-year-old boy from a former girlfriend, will I qualify for paid paternity leave if I want to bond with the lad?
The popularity of paternity leave for dad’s is hard to deny. For the family, it’s good for father, and for early bonding. Most mom’s would surely be in favor of the help/relief – especially if this isn’t the only child, and there’s more to manage than just the latest bundle of joy! So if you’re lucky enough to work for a provider of great benefits, including paternity leave, it’s time to get to work…so you can get off work.