Netflix offers employees year of ‘unlimited’ parental leave

Netflix stirred envy in sleep-deprived parents nationwide by saying it will give its employees up to a year of paid leave following the birth or adoption of a child.

Speaking regarding the initiative, Tawni Cranz, company’s chief talent officer, said: “We want employees to have the flexibility and confidence to balance the needs of their growing families without worrying about work or finances”.

The message goes on to say the company believes their employees will “perform better at work when they’re not worrying about home”.

Netflixs move, announced Tuesday, set a new standard even among Silicon Valleys famously generous companies.

But Sladek, the Aon Hewitt partner, said more US companies have been asking her about paid leave and whether their competitors are offering it, so there is interest. “And Mexico, the US’s neighbor to the south, gives mothers 12 weeks of paid leave, reimbursed at 100 percent of their salary”.

The tech giant said that from November 1, it would offer full pay for 12 weeks to new mothers and fathers, plus eight additional weeks of maternity disability, bringing the total for mothers to 20 weeks. Some have argued that a policy allowing employees as much time off as they want actually reduces the amount of time they wind up taking, because it makes workers feel guilty about staying away from the office. The company was researching maternity leave policies when an employee became pregnant, which was a first for the then 5-year-old company. “This new policy, combined with our unlimited time off, allows employees to be supported during the changes in their lives and return to work more focused and dedicated”. The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 only mandates employers provide job-protected leave for 12 weeks to take care of a child. Only 17 per cent provide any paid paternity leave for fathers or parents who adopt.

“I would definitely say this is contagious”, she said.

Netflix should be commended for its ample policy. But if a company is going to be so generous, it should offer precise guidance to employees. And given the success of the company’s runaway television hits like Orange is the New Black and House of Cards, that’s likely a stronger imperative than ever.

Netflix already sells its services in dozens of other countries outside the U.S.as part of its ambition to be available throughout the world by the end of next year.