In what is becoming a trend in Biglaw, yet another firm has made some pretty significant changes to its parental leave policy. More and more firms are recognizing that in order to attract and retain the best talent, they have to offer policies that allow attorneys to have a family life — even while they are working at a top-tier law firm.
Yesterday, Skadden announced they were increasing the amount of paid time off new parents are able to take, and, according to tipsters, the rank-and-file attorneys are pretty jazzed about it:
People excited in the halls talking about it.
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So what are the relevant details? Skadden now offers a gender-neutral policy that provides all new parents, regardless of caregiver status, with 12 weeks of paid leave:
We are pleased to announce an expansion of the Firm’s parental leave policy, which will provide parents welcoming a child through birth, adoption or foster care placement with up to 12 weeks of paid leave, regardless of caregiver status. Birth mothers continue to be eligible for additional paid leave for disability, typically 6-8 weeks, consistent with our salary continuation policy. Attorneys who are employed by the Firm for at least one year and maintain a minimum work schedule of at least 60 percent qualify for paid parental leave.
In additional to the expanded time off, the firm also revealed a series of family friendly resources for attorneys. That includes Flexible Return Months, which allows for a flexible schedule to ease the transition back to work; access to backup childcare, which includes three months of subsidized care at a backup childcare center; a child development specialist able to answer all the questions new parents may have; and nursing mother accommodations in each office.
Congratulations to Skadden on rolling out the new program. Let’s hope more firms follow suit.
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(Read all the details about the new policy on the next page.)
Kathryn Rubino is an editor at Above the Law. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).