Taking Parental Leave

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Yu5

New

Yu5
Apr 10 4 Comments

I am at Google and am expecting a baby very soon. Google gives 18 weeks leaves. When I told my manager that I'd be taking a long, contiguous time (~12weeks) there was an audible gulp, though they did not say anything directly. When pressed, my manager said they were thinking something more like 4 weeks contiguous. I'm worried about how to ensure coverage for people depending on me. My work is somewhat niche and would take at least 2-3 mos for someone to ramp up on. Other people in my org take much shorter and non-contiguous leaves, though I did see someone else taking 8 weeks, and I've also seen the "paternity leave pledge" which advocates for at least 8 consecutive weeks and committing to using the full leave within a year. I'm not sure how Blind can help, but looking for advice and details of how others have taken their leave.

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TOP 4 Comments
  • Microsoft / Eng
    good_boy

    Go to company page Microsoft Eng

    PRE
    Amazon
    good_boy
    Take the leave. Don't feel guilty. It's your manager. Let him gulp harder if he wants to
    Apr 10 0
  • Microsoft
    kafka on๐ŸŒŠ

    Go to company page Microsoft

    kafka on๐ŸŒŠ
    If you are irreplaceable at your current team, that's your manager's fault.

    You do what's the best for you and your family. On your death bed you'll never regret you worked too little. But when your kid grows up, you'll feel how fast it happens. Jfyi and to take you out of the bubble, a year of parental is a norm in Europe.
    Apr 10 0
  • Wayfair / Eng
    BlueCouch

    Go to company page Wayfair Eng

    BlueCouch
    Are you a senior/manager? Then plan and delegate and leave. Are you mid level? Work with your manager on the plan. are you junior? Just leave!
    Apr 10 0
  • When I was born in the 80s it was considered a huge outrage when my dad took 3 unpaid weeks of leave. These days people wouldnโ€™t blink an eye at 3 weeks. Take the leave, you can never get that time back. People imagine the house will burn down but it is so unlikely things will be bad.
    Apr 10 0