Local News

Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg to take two months’ paternity leave

Studies show that when working parents take time to be with their newborns, outcomes are better for the children and families.

The founder and CEO of one of the world’s largest and most blokey tech companies is taking two months of paternity leave.

Mark Zuckerberg, who founded Facebook as a way to rate the hotness of girls on his college campus, made the announcement in a Facebook post saying he wanted to be there for his baby daughter when she arrives in the world.

Facebook is regularly criticized for its lack of gender diversity. Seventy per cent of its employees, including most of the top earners, are male.

The post comes after Mark revealed some months back that his wife Priscilla had suffered several miscarriages before this pregnancy.

“Priscilla and I are starting to get ready for our daughter’s arrival,” Mark said, “We’ve been picking out our favorite childhood books and toys.

“We’ve also been thinking about how we’re going to take time off during the first months of her life. This is a very personal decision, and I’ve decided to take 2 months of paternity leave when our daughter arrives.

“Studies show that when working parents take time to be with their newborns, outcomes are better for the children and families.’

Facebook offers US employees up to four months of paid maternity or paternity leave. Microsoft offers 12 weeks paid leave, and Google offers 18 weeks.

Related stories


Back to work for William as paternity leave comes to an end
Royals

Back to work for William as paternity leave comes to an end

Prince William is heading back to work after taking two weeks paternity leave following the birth of his first son. There were few things about the arrival and celebration of baby Prince George of Cambridge that gave him a start in life like any other newborn, and no doubt his upbringing will be vastly different […]