The world’s biggest social media networking website Facebook has confirmed that male employees in Ireland will be able to avail of four months of paid paternity leave following the birth of their children.
It is understood management at the site changed its policies for full-time employees of both genders who are new parents. The new move comes in the wake of the introduction of same-sex marriage as it will now allow want to be fathers to take maternity leave if they wish to do so.
A spokesperson for the company said: “In reviewing our parental leave policies, we have decided to make this change because it’s the right thing to do for our people and their families,” said Lori Goler, Vice President of Human Resources and Recruiting at Facebook in a blog post. “Studies show that when working parents take time to be with their newborns, outcomes are better for the children and families. “For too long, paid baby leave has been granted only to a mother who is giving birth. “We believe that fathers and mothers alike deserve the same level of support when they are starting and growing a family, regardless of how they define family.”
Facebook also say the leave can be taken at any stage within a year of when the child is born.