Mark Zuckerberg to take two months paternity leave from Facebook

Mark Zuckerberg took to his Facebook on Friday to announce he’ll be taking time away from the social network after the birth of his daughter.

Facebook Inc., which is based in Menlo Park, California, offers its USA employees up to four months of paid parental leave.

He said in a Facebook post that “outcomes are better for children and families” when working parents take time off to be with their newborns.

“Priscilla and I are starting to get ready for our daughter’s arrival”, the CEO and co-creator wrote on Facebook, referencing his wife Priscilla Chan and the upcoming Child of Zuck.

Zuckerberg, 31, did not say who would be running the company while he is out.

According to U.S. law, businesses must allow parents paid leave when they have a new addition to the family though time and payment status vary from state to state and business to business.

Silicon Valley technology firms have rushed to extend parental leave allowances and other benefits in an attempt to recruit and retain talent, but many workers do not take advantage for fear of falling behind at work or missing out on promotions.

When Marissa Mayer of Yahoo took two weeks off when her twins were born in 2012 the reaction was mixed.

Sheryl Sandberg, who will likely take over operational control of Facebook in Zuckerberg’s absence – showed support for the couple as Mark shared his post. She said, “Enjoy the precious early months with your daughter – I can’t wait to meet her”. Microsoft lately introduced 18 weeks of paid maternal leave, up from 12 weeks, and Netflix gives new mothers approximately a year away.

His paternity leave post follows a wider wave of discussion in the tech world this year about time off policies.