Company in WA has no paternal leave policy- what to do?

Jan 5, 2018 13 Comments

My wife and I are having our first baby in the spring, and my company (5yr old startup, ~150 employees) has yet to formalize a parental leave policy. They’ve been dragging their feet a bit since I requested details regarding leave a couple of months ago, so I’m trying to figure out the best approach here.

If you were in this situation, would you continue pushing them to establish the policy or simply propose a paternal leave package?

Were you to go with the latter, what is a reasonable amount of time off & pay for a company like ours these days?

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TOP 13 Comments
  • Adobe
    Karoshi

    Go to company page Adobe

    Karoshi
    I used to work in a very small company in Oregon. It was breaking my heart to see some of my female ex coworkers got back to work after 2 unpaid weeks because they also live paycheck to paycheck. After having gone through the experience myself, it’s crazy how my ex coworkers could do that. I was barely coherent 2 weeks after delivery with so much trauma from the delivery.

    I am not sure how likely you can change. Is this family owned? I probably will propose a combination of pto, borrowed Pto from next year, and unpaid leave.
    Jan 5, 2018 1
    • OP
      2 weeks is brutal. I fully intend on taking more time off even if it’s unpaid- While I won’t have gone through the physical hardship that my wife will, IMO she’ll absolutely need my support for while she recovers. Not to mention the importance of that bonding time with my first born.

      I like the idea of a combination of pto and unpaid leave.
      Jan 5, 2018
  • Microsoft / Eng
    Checkchec

    Go to company page Microsoft Eng

    BIO
    Hate coding quizzes but studying hard for better future!
    Checkchec
    For the reference, Microsoft used to give one month of parental leave to male employees but now it is three months paid leave. I think Google and Facebook have similarly good leave. You may want to use it when arguing for paid leave. If not, prepare to leave for other company and leave the glassdoor review.
    Jan 6, 2018 0
  • Expedia
    thankful

    Go to company page Expedia

    thankful
    If you want to connect with kid or just want to help your spouse then take time off whether company pays for it or not. Decision to spend quality time should not be dependent on policy.
    Jan 5, 2018 0
  • Cisco / Eng
    Mylady

    Go to company page Cisco Eng

    Mylady
    I have read a medium post of a woman who used this as an opportunity to create the maternity/parental policy at her startup. So I'd suggest go ahead and propose them a month of paid leave. Also if you are in California you are entitled to 6 weeks of partially paid CFPL which both parents can take. What I have seen mediocrr companies doing, they just pay you on top of CFPL to match 100% of your salary. Great companies just give you a parental leave with full pay independently from CPFL.
    Jan 5, 2018 1
  • Verizon
    FqtS67

    Go to company page Verizon

    FqtS67
    Fight for it in a calm, respectable manner. Provide data on what is the norm for companies like your. All of your colleagues that come to this life stage after you will thank you. If the company won't budge, I would seriously consider leaving. People need to get the message that this is important.
    Jan 5, 2018 0