Netflix announced Tuesday that it will allow unlimited maternity and paternity leave during the first year of a child's birth or adoption. Employees will be able to take off however much time they need whenever they want during that first year, and they can work part-time or full-time, according to TIME. Netflix said that they would continue to pay employees "normally" throughout the time.
The new policy that goes beyond average maternity or paternity leave policies in the U.S. The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 offers some federal guidelines for parental leave, giving employees 12 weeks of unpaid leave, according to the New York Times.
Just last year, President Obama brought paternity and maternity leave to the forefront of American politics when he spoke in his State of the Union address about how the U.S. was "the only advanced country in the world that doesn't guarantee paid maternity leave," according to CNN. Obama extended parental leave in January for federal employees to six weeks of paid time off.
Netflix is one of the few major companies to offer paid leave, especially for such a length.
"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," Netflix's Chief Talent Officer Tawni Cranz said on Tuesday.
