New Relic Adopts Progressive Enhancement to Paid Parental Leave

New Relic has expanded its employee benefits, notably enhancing its paid parental leave from 10 to 12 weeks for new parents globally, effective January 1, 2020, alongside up to 10 weeks of paid disability leave for birthing parents. This policy includes both base and variable pay, setting New Relic apart in the competitive landscape. Additionally, U.S. employees now have access to 10 days of backup childcare through Care.com, which can be used when regular childcare arrangements fail. The expansion of these benefits aligns with broader trends in the U.S., where the Federal Employee Paid Leave Act now grants 12 weeks of paid leave for federal civilian workers, although no federal mandate exists for the private sector. Currently, only eight states and the District of Columbia have state laws for paid family leave. New Relic's gender-neutral policy aims to promote equality, and highlights the company's commitment to supporting its employees and attracting talent in a low-unemployment market. The blog post also notes a growing public and private sector interest in supporting working families, with calls for federal legislation to ensure paid family and medical leave for more Americans.