Netflix changed the game when it came to video rentals. Now, the company may be doing the same as an employer with the announcement of a new policy allowing salaried employees, female and male, to take as much time off as they want during the first year after a child is born or adopted.
"We want employees to have the flexibility and confidence to balance the needs of their growing families without worrying about work or finances," wrote Tawni Cranz, Netflix's chief talent officer, on the company's blog. "Parents can return part-time, full-time, or return and then go back out as needed. We'll just keep paying them normally, eliminating the headache of switching to state or disability pay. Each employee gets to figure out what's best for them and their family, and then works with their managers for coverage during their absences."
According to Ms. Cranz, the decision to offer this benefit, was a recognition on the part of Netflix that success was directly related to its ability to recruit and retain top talent. The company, which has about 2,000 salaried workers, has found that employees who are not worried about their home lives perform better at work. The new policy aims to help its employees "return to work more focused and dedicated."
As reports have pointed out, an expanding list of companies including, Apple, Facebook, Google and Microsoft, offer leave programs that go beyond federal requirements that allow for 12-weeks off (pay not guaranteed) for individuals working at companies with 50 or more employees.
"We've seen many employers expanding their amount of paid leave available, but it would be a small number of industries with a relatively small-to-medium size population that could afford to do something as extensive as Netflix," Mary Tavarozzi, a senior consultant with Towers Watson, told Reuters.