Netflix announced it will now offer unlimited parental leave that a applies the first year after a child is born or adopted.
New moms and dads have the right to take as much time off as they would like during that one-year period. Parents are also able to work part time or come back full time after a few months and leave again — all of which Netflix will cover by continuing to pay full salaries and offering benefits.
This is an extension of Netflix’s unlimited time-off policy for sick days and vacations.
In January, President Barack Obama said during his State of the Union speech that the United States is the only advanced country in the world that does not guarantee its workers paid maternity leave. According to federal law, companies with more than 50 employees allow new parents up to 12 weeks off; however, the time off does not have to be paid.
Obama amended the parental leave policy in January, expanding it to six weeks of paid time off of work.
Tawny Cranz, Netflix’s chief talent officer, made the announcement in a blog post. Read Cranz’s full statement below.
At Netflix, we work hard to foster a “freedom and responsibility” culture that gives our employees context about our business and the freedom to make their own decisions along with the accompanying responsibility. With this in mind, today we’re introducing an unlimited leave policy for new moms and dads that allows them to take off as much time as they want during the first year after a child’s birth or adoption.
We want employees to have the flexibility and confidence to balance the needs of their growing families without worrying about work or finances. Parents can return part-time, full-time, or return and then go back out as needed. We’ll just keep paying them normally, eliminating the headache of switching to state or disability pay. Each employee gets to figure out what’s best for them and their family, and then works with their managers for coverage during their absences.
Netflix’s continued success hinges on us competing for and keeping the most talented individuals in their field. Experience shows people perform better at work when they’re not worrying about home. 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.
–Tawni Cranz