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America’s maternity leave policies leave much to be desired. But in recent headlines, Yahoo’s CEO, Marissa Mayer, has taken a step towards progress. Her new policies give mothers 16 weeks of paid maternity leave and fathers 8 weeks of paid paternity leave.
This is a major step in the right direction. Motivation behind this new policy has been attributed to either a response to an unpopular decision to force remote employees move into company offices, or Mayer’s own ridiculously short 2-week maternity leave in September.
Those may have contributed to Mayer’s decision, but I think the more likely culprit is competition. Mayer’s previous employer, and Yahoo’s competitor, Google, offers anywhere from 16 to 22 weeks paid maternity leave and seven weeks of paternity leave. Silicon Valley was one of the only areas of employment that couldn’t hire people quickly enough during the recession (due to a lack of a qualified domestic employee pool,) so prospective employees have options. When you’re evaluating those options, you can be sure that benefits, including parental leave policies, weigh into the equation.
Could we be witnessing the start of reasonable maternity leave policies in the states? There’s no doubt that we’re witnessing them in the tech sector. Make sure to tell your daughter she’s good at math. Tell her she’s good at science. Encourage her so that tomorrow she can work for companies that can afford to employ her and afford to offer her the benefits she deserves as a talented, well-qualified employee.
It’s important to get more women into positions where they can influence maternity leave policies. It will make a huge difference! Good post!
Thank you! And I agree!
Too right to hear. I get so disheartened when people tell their kids it’s okay to give up on math since they didn’t like it either. We need more women mathematicians,scientists and engineers!
I didn’t like math. But I kicked butt at it according to my aptitude tests. It was my curse; when I got to a level where I actually had to try to grasp concepts I just gave up. While I love the field I’m in, I am disappointed in myself for allowing myself to become discouraged so easily.
“Her new policies give mothers 16 weeks of paid maternity leave and father 8 weeks of paid paternity leave.”
That is awesome!!!! It would be great if all business sectors would follow suit soon. And Happy belated Mother’s Day to you femme.
Aw, thanks! And I agree!
Wow that’s awesome!
Agreed!
I hope to goodness that maternity leave laws will change in the US, because the ridiculously short leave employers are legally obligated to provide terrify me (and I am NOWHERE near ready to have children).
For the time being, I recommend a short-term disability insurance policy that covers pregnancy and recovery and taking advantage of the 12-week FMLA. Because it is kind of scary.
That is definitely news to celebrate. I can only hope other companies follow suit. And yes, girls are smart in science and math, no matter what Barbie says. 🙂
I guess even Barbie is getting more progressive:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0042ESG9W/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0042ESG9W&linkCode=as2&tag=femmefrugalit-20
:p
I was sick when I was in the U.S., reading up about mat leave.
3 months was AWESOME as mat leave in the U.S., but it’s the minimum here with many employers giving 6 months to a year.
Jealous.