Microsoft Changing Its Paid Parental Leave Policy

Netflix is not only changing the way it does business, it is affecting other companies as well.

Yesterday streaming service Netflix announced that, in addition to its unlimited time off policy (with some restrictions), it will also be offering up to a year of paid maternity leave to its employees.  Now Microsoft says that its employees who are new mothers may take up to twenty weeks of paid leave.  Prior to its latest announcement Microsoft had permitted up to eight weeks of paid leave and twelve weeks of unpaid leave.

Dads are included in the picture as well.  Microsoft says that they are eligible for up to twelve weeks with pay.

Time for both moms or dads can be taken all at once, or in blocks of paternity or maternity leave.

It remains to be seen whether other major employers follow suit.