Netflix and parental leave...

[TreasonousBastard]

NPR had a couple of pieces on this today. It seems the Netflix announced a one year parental leave for employees with new babies.

Sounds good-- makes them as good as Estonia which has had it for a while. In fact, almost every major economy has parental leave-- in fact, every nation but the US and Papua New Guinea. Even China has it. Some US companies used to have it. A few still do, but none for a whole year.

But, is it a leading edge into a brighter future for the country? Are there questions?

First problem is that it's not for all Netflix people. Warehouse workers mailing out the CD's don't get it. Other low level workers won't see it.

What about the hotshots who do get it?

Well, Netflix is one of the most performance driven companies around. Up or out is the mantra, and if you don't exceed goals you are out of there with little mercy.

So, the new mother has to balance her performance reviews, and the probability that taking a year off would affect them. The new father would probably be in worse shape, it it's offered to fathers.

Once again, the sound and fury, signifying nothing.

[alarimer]

1. And then there are people who don't have kids

But have parents or someone who needs medical care or some other kind of care. I think there should be a provision for them, too, beyond FMLA, which is really nothing.

It isn't really fair to people who have to pick up the slack for someone who is gone for an entire year, either.

[TreasonousBastard]

2. Hardly makes a difference in this case, since...

it sounds more like a PR move than a real benefit.

But, yes, there should be provisions for primary caregiving across the board. That's just not the American way, though.