Mark Zuckerberg happily announced in a status on Facebook that he will be taking two months of paternity leave when his newborn daughter arrives.
Zuckerberg is one of several CEOs setting a positive example of upholding a work-life balance when it comes to overseeing a company and taking on fatherhood duties at home.
Time off for paternity and maternity leave is a hotly discussed topic in the professional working world. While many employees are hesitant that a period of absence from the company may affect their careers, Zuckerberg highlights the importance of having a work-life balance.
Zuckerberg wrote in his post:
“Studies show that when working parents take time to be with their newborns, outcomes are better for the children and families. At Facebook we offer our US employees up to 4 months of paid maternity or paternity leave which they can take throughout the year.”
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Priscilla and I are starting to get ready for our daughter’s arrival. We’ve been picking out our favorite childhood…
Posted by Mark Zuckerberg on Friday, November 20, 2015
In August, Toms shoes founder and CEO Blake Mycoskie told his company that he was taking 12 weeks off after the birth of his son. He was praised for setting a precedent that was meant to encourage employees at his company to take advantage of their new parent benefits. In 2012, Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer was criticized for her decision to take a shorter maternity leave following the birth of her twin daughters.
