The U.S. isn’t exactly at the top of the list when it comes to countries that offer crazy-awesome family leave benefits. But that isn’t going to stop Walmart from adding to their maternity and parental leave benefits. Along with other incentives, such as an increase to their starting hourly wage and a one-time $1,000 cash bonus for eligible associates, the big box retailer is taking a step towards making it easier to parent.
Walmart’s new expanded parental leave policy will give full-time hourly associates 10 weeks of paid maternity leave. Along with the maternity leave increase, Walmart is also adding six weeks of paid parental leave. This goes for both hourly and salaried employees.
The mega-retailer also wants to help associates who want to adopt. Their adoption assistance plan provides $5,000 per child for full-time hourly and salaried employees. Associates can use this money to pay for fees that adoption agencies charge, translation fees and even for the legal fees that are part of the adoption process.
Doug McMillon, Walmart’s President and CEO, said in a press release, “Today, we are building on investments we’ve been making in associates, in their wages and skills development.” He added, “It’s our people who make the difference and we appreciate how they work hard to make every day easier for busy families.”
With Walmart’s new maternity, paternal and adoption assistance policies, they’re certainly making a statement and doing more to help their employees parent while still working.
How many weeks paid leave do you think are enough after having or adopting a baby? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
