Biglaw Perk Watch: S&C and Weil Also Up Parental Leave

We’ve previously reported on improved parental leave policies at Latham & Watkins, Davis Polk, and Simpson Thacher. We predicted that “with respect to maternity leave for birth mothers, 18 weeks will become the new ‘market rate.'”
Perhaps it already is. Tipsters have written in to advise us that Sullivan & Cromwell and Weil Gosthal & Manges went to 18 weeks some time ago — S&C back in August, and Weil in September.
For anyone who is interested, more details appear after the jump.


WEIL GOSTHAL & MANGES — PARENTAL LEAVE POLICY
Paid Parental Leave and Primary Caregiver Leave Policy for Associates
Effective September 1, 2007
Following the birth or adoption of a child, associates are eligible for paid Parental Leave and, if applicable, Primary Caregiver Leave. Associates may take up to four weeks of paid Parental Leave. Primary Caregivers are eligible for an additional six weeks of paid Primary Caregiver Leave. A Primary Caregiver is defined as “the person who has primary responsibility for the care and welfare of the child during normal working hours”. Both the paid Parental Leave and the Primary Caregiver Leave must be taken during the first six months following a birth or adoption, and in blocks of no less than one week.
Birth of a Child
Female associates who are expectant mothers are eligible for up to a maximum of 18 weeks of paid leave for the birth of a child. Generally, the first eight weeks are considered salary continuation (supported by medical documentation, if eligible), the next four weeks are paid Parental Leave and the remaining six weeks are paid Primary Caregiver Leave. (Total of 18 weeks for Primary Caregivers).
Expectant fathers are eligible for up to four weeks of paid Parental Leave following the birth of a child. An expectant father who is the Primary Caregiver is also eligible for an additional six weeks of Primary Caregiver Leave. (Total of 10 weeks for Primary Caregivers).
Adoption of a Child
Associates are eligible for four weeks of paid Parental Leave for the adoption of a child. In addition, an associate who is the Primary Caregiver is eligible for an additional six weeks of Primary Caregiver Leave. (Total of 10 weeks for Primary Caregivers).
In order to make any needed accommodations for Parental and/or Primary Caregiver Leave, an associate must submit his or her request for the leave as soon as the date of the anticipated birth or adoption is known. The Firm will continue to maintain all benefits during the leave. A new parent may also take additional unpaid leave for childcare with prior approval of the Firm.
SULLIVAN & CROMWELL — PARENTAL LEAVE POLICY
From the S&C website:
* Family Benefits
S&C recognizes the importance of family and is a leader among its peers in the family benefits it provides to its lawyers.
o Flex-Time Policy
Since 1987, S&C has allowed lawyers to work less than full time under a variety of tailored flex-time schedules. Currently, there are 20 men and women lawyers at the Firm who are working on a flex-time schedule.
o Same-Sex Domestic Partners Benefits
Same-sex domestic partners of lawyers at the Firm receive the same full coverage as spouses enjoy under the Firm’s benefits plans.
o Leave in Connection with the Birth or Adoption of a Child
S&C grants maternity and adoption leave, totaling eighteen weeks with full salary, to lawyers who work in our U.S. offices and are primary caregivers of a child. As described below in detail, the available paid leave has several components, including a child care leave that is available to other lawyers as well.
+ Maternity Leave — An eight-week maternity disability leave with full salary is granted to women lawyers, in connection with the birth of a child. (If the disability from pregnancy extends beyond eight weeks, additional disability leave is available.) This leave is in addition to available paid Child Care and Primary Caregiver Leaves, described below.
+ Adoption Leave — An eight-week leave of absence with full salary is granted, at the time of adoption, to lawyers who are primary caregivers of an adopted child. This leave is in addition to available paid Child Care and Primary Caregiver Leaves, described below.
+ Primary Caregiver Leave — A six-week leave of absence with full salary is granted to lawyers who work in our U.S. offices and are primary caregivers, in connection with the birth or adoption of a child. (We are working to extend this benefit to eligible lawyers working in our non-U.S. offices.)
+ Child Care Leave — A four-week leave of absence with full salary is granted to all lawyers, in connection with the birth or adoption of a child.
A primary caregiver of a child can also take additional unpaid leave for a total leave, including applicable categories of leave described above, of up to six months.

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