Let’s start a conversation around parental leave - how is it at your firm? Does your firm do enough to support new parents? What changes can we make in our industry to better support working parents? Share your stories and thoughts!

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at
Highlighted IconHIGHLIGHTED

We get 16 weeks off for dads. It’s absolutely fantastic and really puts a retainer on my wife to make the lifestyle more sustainable for longer into the future. Really throughout our whole fertility, pregnancy, baby birth journey the firm has been fantastic. Can’t imagine how I would’ve lasted without the tremendous support of my leaders and teammates.

likeuplifting

Every week travel burns out talent regardless of parental status. That needs to be reviewed and brought down.

likesmart

@Deloitte 4: I’m in Germany and we travel constantly . . . ?

like
Recent IconRecent

Yeah the expectation around travel when returning is an insane problem. I came back when my son was 6 months old, but at that age he was still nursing to sleep, twice a night, and in the morning. I would have to set an alarm to pump in the middle of the night the few nights I was gone.

Literally any other country would still have the mom on leave, so it’s completely irrational to expect the primary caregiver to be away for 72 hours at a time.

like

A Mom here. Continuing to breastfeed while traveling is awful. Horrible. And pumping at the client site is embarrassing and also horrible. I wanted to work after the first 2 months but with a schedule where I could be around my child and give them the best start. That meant being home.

Make that happen for women for at least the first year and then we can talk supporting families beyond that. But that first year is critical to mothers in particular, for recovery, for bonding, for health.

That said, I appreciated milk stork, working in town (even though my in-town leads expected me to be onsite 10 hrs a day, 5 days a week, with 1-2 hrs commuting each way, do you know, not even seeing daytime with the young one), the decent-ish 4 months off (that you can only request once the baby is out and you must request within the BUSINESS DAY! Like, wtf insurance companies?) so, when I was in labor for over a day, I technically still had to work the prior business day?

I could go on.

likesmart

I wish our company even had milk stork. I ran out of witty comebacks to comments about me traveling with a giant cooler. Plus the suuuuuper awkward TSA moments when security examines every. single. bag of breast milk in front of your male teams. So fun.

like

Compared to what’s out there in the US, our policy is ok (8 weeks with the option to take up to 6 month off if you combine disability, family leave, PTO and LoA). That being said, it’s still not enough compared to other countries. It takes moms 18 mo before they are fully recovered (mentally and physically) so it’s difficult to expect them to come back in a few months and be on their A game. The mind is elsewhere and they are still trying to figure everything out, plus losing sleep at night because the baby is up. It’s a ridiculous burden working parents face. I’m glad that firms are finally starting to realize this and making changes to their maternity/paternity policies, but there’s still a long road ahead. We need a few firms to lead the change and offer 12 months of leave for new parents, for instance, to be on par with what the rest of 1st world countries. It doesn’t have to be all fully paid leave, but providing the option to take that time with job security be a game changer. I think we will get there because a few firms offer that now (eg., Netflix), but I look forward to the day one of the consulting companies takes the leap because the others will follow suit.

likeuplifting

Good Lord M2. You really do not know of which you speak. Many firms, if not all, have maternity leave run concurrently or is treated as FMLA, STD, and if needed LTD. Women do not get extra STD, LTD, or FMLA leave. Pregnancy and birth are treated as STD and FMLA in most cases. Just so you know, there are some cases where complications from pregnancy and/or birth do leave the woman with life long disabilities...

like

Reading this thread, it becomes starkly apparent that people who haven't had kids just have no idea. My former self would not have understood what the big deal is with parental leave either, but after dealing with a newborn (and staying in this job, and traveling), it's totally changed my perspective.
This is also why it's important for people who have had kids to be among our firm leaders, not just as beacons of hope that it's possible, but mostly because they have the power and influence to change our business in a way that makes the most sense for parents. Because as well-meaning as others might be (and some are clearly not empathetic at all, as demonstrated by this thread), they just don't get it unless they've gone through it.

likesmart

I don’t have children but am I staunch believer in better parental leave policies ESPECIALLY for those who’ve given birth. People swear it’s only for bonding but it’s so much more than that. Childbirth can kill you! Your organs shift, you can form blood clots, complications from c-sections, suicide from postpartum, etc. it’s not just for the baby and people need more time off to heal. Mentally and physically.

Both dad and mom are eligible for parental leave and we are super supportive and actively encourage people to make use of it

Where the problems start is for young moms to get back into a schedule with travel . It’s an area where we collectively need to lobby clients to not need these folks to travel every week like usual .

like

16 weeks for dads which is awesome. I've heard too many stories about being passed over for promotion to SM or Partner after taking parental leave. But that said, you never get the time back. Take it. The promotion will come at your next firm.

like

EY12- It’s hard to understand this before you have kids, but priorities often change when the baby is here. Promotion might be important now but you might not care as much about it when you’re a mom. That said, continue to do good work and find supportive partners at your firm who will advocate for you. I was promoted while pregnant. I know another woman who was promoted while on maternity leave. It’s possible. While I’m thrilled with the promotion, I’d also be fine not having it, too, because priorities change and I’d rather have a more flexible work arrangement at the expense of a promotion now.

likeuplifting

I think if you start supporting parenting as a lifestyle choice, you need to actively support all other lifestyle choices or none at all.

like

Literally staying at BCG for the parental leave benefits and healthcare. So their foolish, short-sighted, overpopulate-the-world strategy worked on me 💁

like

I’m glad many firms have great policies, I also think there’s room for improvement. However...

To give everyone perspective, my brother and his girlfriend just had a baby. They are both factory workers. His girlfriend had to quit her job, because the company would not give her time off and didn’t want to hold her spot for her. My brother works 50 hours a week to support them, and earns about $2500 a month. That’s to put a roof over their heads, feed them, car insurance, gas, they go without health insurance because they can’t afford it. Baby is covered by Medicaid, mom was covered by Medicaid while pregnant.

There is a lot of room for improvement in our firm policies, but our country is failing its people when the situation my brother’s family is in happens.

like

Totally agree. Sorry your brother had to go through that, it sounds rough Firms like ours should help set the standard for others. There’s also more the government can do but that’s a whole other rabbit hole

Another mom here. I agree that transitioning back to work is a big challenge, probably even more of an issue than the number of weeks of leave. I worked on an internal role from home for first 3 months, then did a 2 month client project remotely, so I was 5 months back to work before my first travel project. But the truth is that as much as firm leaders want to be supportive, trying to find a local or remote project is very restrictive and will definitely impact career growth, at least at a place like OW where we may not have the same volume of projects to choose from as Big4. The solution is to still do travel projects but on a more flexible travel schedule, e.g. not M-TH every week. For this to work effectively, you need genuine support from the partners and the clients, otherwise the consultant who are willing to do the M-Th weekly commute will always get preference over you.

likeupliftinghelpful

2 weeks for dad. Too short to take care my wife...

like

M2: when my colleague’s parents were in a serious car crash, she got multiple weeks paid (plus more unpaid time, total 4 months) to go take care of them. When my colleague got ill and needed 6 months of medical time off, the firm covered her through a variety of programs including extended sick days, STD and LTD. When another colleague took off over a year to spend time with a parent with terminal cancer, the company held his job for him until he was ready to come back. When a young associate came back from work too soon after a death in family and realized he needed more time, extra bereavement leave was immediately granted. When my childless, unmarried manager asked to be local to attend weeknight couples counseling, the office found a project for him and the team respected his need to leave at certain times for those appointments. When many colleagues applied for leaves of absence (we have a program where you can do 2 months with no paid salary but all benefits paid), they were approved. Reasons for requesting these leaves I have heard include:
-Going skiing
-Got a new puppy and need to dog train
-Volunteering
-Round the world trip
-Visiting family overseas
-Playing tennis and doing yoga
-Training for a marathon
-Getting a personal trainer to work on core strength
-extended honeymoon
-And yes, extending parental leave

I get the sense maybe you work for a company where the benefits are marginal or else you would already be familiar with situations like this. The answer to “many people don’t get the help they need” should be “let’s get them more help to the extent possible”, not “don’t help anyone.” If we used that logic, our companies should all pay us $2/day since that is what hundreds of millions of people live on.

like

If your a traveling consultant, someone else is raising your kid and if you have a spouse they are essentially single.

#truth

like

I don't have kids myself. But heard coworkers stories: one's son developed separation anxiety, another one's daughter thinks her mom lives at airports.

Travel is the big issue for this industry. I recently reviewed applicants from a nation-wide search & wasn’t sent a single female. When I dug in, I learned that every qualified woman declined to move forward because the roles could require up to 80% travel. If that is the only way to make it in this industry, then we will never move beyond a massive gender imbalance at the top. It is too hard for most women to travel full time when they have small children, and especially if they’re breastfeeding.

like

It seems like the Firms have made much progress on the policy front. Where I see the challenge is in execution and dependence on having an engagement and or PL who is appropriately supportive. It is important plan for the anticipated leave on the front end. Frankly the challenges many of us face go beyond child birth - they extend to juggling older children and aging parents.

like

Mom here with three young kids. Deloitte is great when it comes to paid leave, and at the SM level giving you a break on metrics the 6 months post-return. I never felt slighted at year end. That said there aren’t enough role models and sponsors for working moms to feel like they have someone supporting them and helping them navigate their career post-motherhood. It’s also just plain hard to be gone so often from your children. I’ve always been open to travel while still prioritizing the important events in my kids lives (dr appts, concerts, games, teacher meeting) but I also desire to be around for the mundane every day things as well that may come on a random Tuesday. The other challenge is predictability. I usually have 3-4 projects going on at a time which requires me to be all over the place and I’m having to change my schedule last minute all the time. It’s exhausting on top of managing the needs of three kids.

like

Totally agree that juggling the unpredictability and hours is the real burn now on me- and I only have two kids. As an industry, we can’t truly address the needs of working parents without addressing the hours we work and the unpredictability.

like

Companies that still only offer 6 weeks of parental leave are trash.

like

100 percent the firm does not do enough. My firm added an extra 2 weeks to the leave policy, but as soon as I came back - put me back on the road. Applied for internal roles explaining that I just needed a couple of years where I could work internally and not travel - but no one gave me a chance. Gave the role to people who could travel. In case people don’t know, the first three months of a baby’s life are termed the 4th trimester”. They are not bonding with you; they are fighting for survival. Right when the bonding period starts is when we need to go back to work. And one more thing: the importance of leave is much more significant for a woman than a man. Babies need their mothers (physically, biologically and emotionally) more than their dads during this time. It’s great that men have equal time off as mothers - but totally not necessary. It’s woman who need more time and more support during this monumental time in one’s life

likesmart

Maybe some people want to pretend there is no difference between a man and a woman; but I’m not. I’m a woman who pushed out two kids (one just a few months ago) and was in physical pain for weeks. I’m back at work and I’m still physically dealing with the effects. Not to mention that young babies biologically crave their mothers more. Hey, maybe it’s because we have been breathing and eating the same things for the 9 months. Real men would understand the point I am trying to drive home. It is not about the family that adopts and both parents want “bonding” time. That’s a different issue. #wokeAFbutarealist

like

At PwC in a Nordic country. Maternity leave starts about two weeks before the due date, and one the baby is born dad gets two weeks off with mum. Then mum has around 8 months off, and then dad has 4 months paternity leave. This is with 100% pay, and PwC covers the gap between public benefits and our salary. Also, if we want, we have the option to take longer off for 80% of our salary, as well as unpaid leave. You cannot be let go while on leave. My office rarely does travel projects, so there’s no issue of travelling. We also get flexible working hours, an PwC guarantees a spot in a daycare they have a partnership with if the public daycare doesn’t have a space. And mum also gets a 1hr breastfeeding break each day until baby is 1 year, so when dad is home with baby they either come to work around lunchtime or mum can leave an hour early.

likeupliftingsmart

Went through two pregnancies and leaves at Deloitte. 4 months for the first, 6 months for the second. Amazing leave program for moms and a huge credit to Cathy Engelbert for making it happen. Coming back both times was challenging, Deloitte needs to focus on re-entry for returning women.

likehelpful

Related Posts

I’m quitting two weeks before my coworkers maternity leave starts. They told me I’d have to cover her work and there’s no way that’s gonna happen. Also I just got into grad school.

likefunny

A woman ad in the dept is on the chopping block. She has a 1 year old kid so maybe a bit distracted. She Is good at ideating but delivers one good idea and is easily overwhelmed. She is always saying no to taking on more more and it’s getting noticed. How do I warn her, help her, keep another woman from leaving without giving away insider information.

like

I am about to meet my bf's parents who r frm different cast- culture all together. I m Hindu Rajput n they are Marathi Brahims.Although his parents said they are fine with marriage but i can sense they are not actually happy. They are taking it ahead just for the sake of it.Does this culture difference matters a lot after marriage.??
In-laws not liking me will be a problem after marriage.? What should i really focus on?? Is getting married be good idea in such scenerio ?

like

Is it normal for a company not to provide paid maternity leave? They said it’d be paid by the state under FMLA for 3 months. Is the FMLA benefit payment taxable?

like

I’m in a rather peculiar situation. I have been in the HR field going on 4 years, I have over 11 years of management experience, I got my PHR last year and I recently graduated with my MBA with a concentration in HR this month. I am ready for a more challenging role. However, there doesn’t seem to be much available at my current company. However, I am going on 5 months pregnant with the expectation of being out in October. I feel like once I mentioned my pregnancy I was in a holding pattern.

like

Pregnant with my second. I keep getting asked if I’m returning after mat leave. The answer is 99% no, but having trouble saying “absolutely yes” with a straight face. My answer has been closer to “maybe under the right conditions”.

Would you be more or less honest??

like

I’m interviewing and have decided to own being a mom and the career choices I made along that journey. It’s really a powerful experience to just bring myself to these meetings. Wanted to share in case a) there are any of you out there feeling like it’s not an option b) it backfires spectacularly and I end up working at Homegoods this winter.

likeupliftingfunny

COVID makes me both relieved I don't have a kid, and also wish for a kid at the same time

like

Folks with kids, how did you teach your kids your mother tongue that is not english. My SO and i are from north and south india, so we only talk in english. Please share your experiences

Is typical comp for a manage level at Big4 sufficient for a foreign couple with one 2 yo kid to live in Dubai? I'm thinking to moving to Dubai.

likefunny

I work w/ a handful of older ex-NHL guys and was referred to a 19 year old kid who was a 1st round pick. The kids dad is a client. If you have worked with similar clients what points do you focus on?

like

One of your roommates (and a close friend that you’ve known for years) has a flight to catch. He has a suitcase, a duffle bag (no wheels), and a backpack. In order for him to get to the airport would you:

A) offer to drive him to the airport that’s about .5 miles away (5 minute drive)

B) tell him to order an Uber since you know his work would pay for it

C) tell him to not be lazy and walk half a mile to the nearest public transportation stop, with all that luggage, and take public transit

like

How does one get into SaaS sales?

I’m 37, 5 years into working for a distributor of building products and have climbed the ladder 🪜 from Territory Manager to Regional Sales Manager, but I’m in charge of 6 of our 7 states and want to travel less now that I have a child. I want to stay in sales and get back into commission vs. salary. I loved chasing the carrot and making more.

like

Going back to work Jan 4 and my 3 month old won’t take a bottle. We’ve tried since she was 1.5 months and she just holds the bottle nipple in her mouth but she doesn’t suck.

For now, I’m ok with breastfeeding while working, but just in case with meetings and whatnot, it’d just be awesome if my husband could feed her.

Any advice? Is it possible to get baby on a feeding schedule that I could just put on my Google calendar as “pumping” time?

like

Hello fellow HR pros! I really need your opinions on HR certifications. I am deciding between PHR and SHRM-cp. I have read just about all there is online comparing the two and can not decide. My heart is telling me PHR, my mother in law (an HRBP) is telling me to go with SHRM, as it’s more widely recognized, more established and a larger network in general. I work for a 350~ company who is growing rapidly through M&A. Passions/interests are compliance, strategic vision, M&A, branding and culture

like

Any tips on working from home with a baby? Having a really hard time juggling everything, I've been in a bad mood everyday. Missing daycare!!

like

Our baby is 5 months old. How many times would you recommend us offering him with solids in a 24 hr period? Also, in what proportion of purée vs formula?

The wife, baby and I are moving to Greenville SC in the spring.

Would love to hear anyone’s experiences about the city and where you’d suggest we start our house search!

like

I leave my A/C on with the doors open at the same time to achieve the perfect temperature. It gets too cold with just the A/C. My penny-pinching father would not approve. 🙈

like

When did you realize you had an alcohol problem? Did a therapist, doctor help you recognize this issue? I think I have a problem but my therapist doesn’t seem to agree. My grandfather and father have alcohol issues and my sister is on AA. I seem to have this urge especially when I am under stress….

like

More Posts

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, & lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, & He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5‭-‬6‭
I pray God guide each of us this week!

like

How's much avg yearly hike for consultant role at atos

like

On resumes do you just want to see the company and the clients you worked for while there? Or do you want a list of all the accomplishments you did at each?

like

Anyone can suggest help for a 4th grader who is struggling with reading comprehension? The child currently has an F in reading and parents want to get at it early? Please help. Thanks in advance.

likehelpful

Looking to re-assign my studio apartment in Landmark West Loop. I have about 18 more months locked in 2100$.

Post Photo
like

Does anyone know of any part time positions in healthcare? Wanted to get into medical sales. I have a ton of time outside of work so I figured it could be a good opportunity to make some extra cha-ching

like
like

Hey everyone! Does anyone have a list of top companies in the US that are truly diverse and inclusive. I’m disabled poc and a recent grad as of December 2021 and I’m looking to start applying to other jobs as my current company has not been accommodating at all. TIA!

like
likefunny

I just did my nails for the first time in over a year. (Pregnancy.. childbirth.. raising an infant who needed me every 2 hours all day and all night until recently...) A small bit o sun.

like

Any single male 🐟🐠 want to meet up for coffee?

How much does everyone spend on groceries and ordering in? I spend 120EUR+ a week because eating good food is the only entertainment in lockdown

like

I am 10.5 years experienced and working in same firm from start of my career. I stayed in same firm just because of how I am treated and regular promotions and decent annual hikes.

I am being paid 23.5 LPA starting April this year. I just wanted to know market slab for 10.5 years for being Mainframe Developer.

like

Are Colorado-specific salary ranges even close to what I can expect in Chicago in general? Or are those completely made up?

like

How do people at Columbia/NYU afford living in NYC while paying for a 200k education?

like

Lol, do you check your purse and shoes in under the plane or do you carry them on?

like

I have CFP but see need for more managed account in my practice. Would it be wise to get CIMA (Certified Investment Management Analyst) to obtain more knowledge and skills? Thank you.

like

I think standup comedians have some of the best insights about society and people. I think every brand strategist should watch some stand up and look at how they really observe human behavior.

likehelpful

I have an offer from CTS for 18LPA fixed. Recently got another offer for 21.5lpa fixed.
Will CTS provide a counter offer?

like

Additional Posts in Consulting

I’m supposed to fly out this evening to EWR but the snow is supposed to hit harder later in the afternoon/night. What would you 🐠 do? Risk delays/cancellation or just rebook to sometime tomorrow?

like

Stat up tech company in healthcare: 20% of company being laid off today; cross the board pay cut for remainder.
Looks like things will be getting worse.

like

Heading to Austin next month for a long weekend with SO. Any restaurant and/or activity recommendations?

like

Thoughts on Riveron Consulting?

like

Happy double hump day 🐠. For those whose local government will begin easing stay at home orders on May, 1st, hang in there. This is the most extreme hump day you’ll probably ever experience.

like

Sometimes I wonder if I’m really a consultant considering how I’ve never once travelled for work! No planes, not even trains!! 😀

like

Ladies, where do you get your suits from? Not looking for anything super formal or expensive, but something that a BA would wear that says young but experienced 😂

like

Good bike brands for 6 yr boy. Budget 100-200. Is it better to order and assemble or buy from walmar or cycle store directl

likehelpful

EY fish, what are the average number of years per level before promotion?

like

🐟 in Charlotte: best place to go watch the basketball game tonight? Any good sports bars?

like

Book recommendations. Your favorite -
1. Autobiography/Biography
2. Self Help
3. Financial Literacy
4. Non-Fiction (not from 1,2 or 3)
5. Fiction
Go!

like

Last minute getaway to San Jose Los Cabos this weekend. Staying at the Hilton resort. Suggestions of where to go and what to see? Please and thank you

like

What should I do if I’m working 60 billable hours but my director is telling me to bill 40? Scared he will fire me if I report this. Please help

likefunny

I am a SM hoping to make Principal. One of my development areas where I believe I can do better is Relationship Management and Sales. Any advice on courses, books, etc. to help improve?

likehelpful

Do I actually hate my job, or is it the pandemic?

like

*meets every single job posting requirement*

"Upon review of your application, we regret to inform you that we are unable to move forward"

*meets 1/3 of the job requirements for a different company*

"Hi, I am a recruiter at xxxxx and I would love to set up some time to chat! " 🙃

likefunny

Are all the Olive layoffs just due to preparing for the recession? So sorry to everyone who was laid off

like

How do you speak up in client meeting if you don't know anything and are just busy taking notes?

like

I seriously feel at my best if I get at least 8.5-9hrs of uninterrupted sleep. Can anyone else relate?

I just feel tired and depressed all the time on ~7hrs of sleep on a daily. Is consulting not for me?

like

Ah bliss...! 💁

Post Photo
likeuplifting

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal