Of course you’re happy when one of your most capable employees tells you she or he is having a baby. And of course you want that person to feel comfortable and secure taking all the leave the company offers. But there’s no denying that you’ll also likely grit your teeth a little when you imagine having that pivotal person out of the office.
Long parental leaves like those available in many European countries are becoming more common even in the United States, where there’s still no national law mandating paid leave. To fill the gap, several cities and states have stepped up, and companies—particularly those with lots of valuable professional workers—have been responding to pressure by increasing their offerings for both moms and dads: Netflix offers unlimited leave for a full year after a birth or adoption, and Bank of America, Deloitte, and Ernst & Young LLP all offer 16 weeks of fully paid time off to mothers, fathers, and employees who are adopting, so prepping for a long leave isn’t just an issue for pregnant women anymore.
