Washington announced this week that schools across the state will stay closed for the remainder of the academic year, leaving parents with the daunting prospect of keeping kids entertained at home for at least two more months. After watching employees juggle work and childcare during the COVID-19 crisis, Microsoft has decided to grant parents 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
Full-time employees can choose when and how to take the time off, either in one single period or in smaller chunks. The company hopes it will give parents more flexibility in the face of additional pressures coronavirus is adding to employees’ work and home lives.
Many tech companies have progressive maternity and paternity programs compared to other industries. Some companies offer parents 16 weeks or more time off. This new policy is a solution for parents to take time to organize their new work-life balance and focus on meeting their own needs and those of their children who have also experienced lifestyle restructuring.
