Toms Shoes CEO takes 12-week paternity leave; applauded by employees

Blake Mycoskie, CEO and founder of Toms Shoes, surprised his colleagues and employees when he said he was taking a 12-week paternity leave after his son was born. Mycoskie was unlike other new dads who would hesitate in taking time off because he wanted to spend some time with his newborn son. He also wanted to be a good example to his employees.

Mycoskie told CNN that dads who are not given or not offered paternity leave are tired and distracted. As a result, he might not make sound decisions for the business while feeling guilty for not having time to spend with the baby.

Toms Shoes provides their employees with parental leave of at least 8 weeks where they get full payment. However, only a handful makes use of the benefit because of fear that they would be left behind in their careers.

The Toms CEO feels that the US should place more attention in providing employees with guaranteed paid parental leave as with other developed countries.

He thinks that an employee takes much of his strength from his family and it is only correct to invest in this strength for him to be strong both in business and in culture.

Providing not only paid maternity leave but also time off for new fathers is one way for companies to take care or attract outstanding talents. At the present, more companies are providing their employees with better parental leave benefits.

Tech companies such as Microsoft, Netflix and Adobe recently improved the leave benefits they offer their employees who become new parents. Netflix claims that this is one way for them to take care of their employees and gain their loyalty as well as attract potential employees.

Government law guarantees that new parents will be given 12 weeks of leave but payment is not guaranteed and will depend on the employer.