Forget about that "My First Father's Day" tie. What Atlanta's new dads really need is solid paternity leave, provided as a matter-of-fact benefit.
Right now, that gift is not going to come through the legislative process. The U.S. is the sole developed country among 41 nations that doesn't provide paid parental leave, according to the Pew Research Center.
And while Forbes recently advocated for a mandatory paid parental leave, the safer bet is taking a job with one of the "record number" of companies that have expanded their paid leave since late 2017, sometimes dramatically, according to Working Mother.
"It makes business sense in a war for talent and, thus far, the federal government and all but four states aren't providing new parents with the paid time off they need," noted author Barbara Frankel. Tax credits make the move all the more appealing for companies.
"Moms and dads of all kinds," are benefiting from this corporate move, according to the WM coverage, including same-sex couples, adoptive parents and sometimes foster parents.
Here are five Atlanta-area employers that WM cited as having particularly nice benefits for dads, along with a few sample positions that would receive the expanded benefits:
IBM
The tech giant, which has made WM's Best Companies list for 32 consecutive years, announced increased leave in October 2017. The new policy includes a max of 20 weeks for new birth mothers, and 12 paid weeks off (double the previous offering) for fathers, partners and adoptive parents. Just to sweeten the pot, parents have a year to schedule the leave.
Job openings in Atlanta include a global security consultant.
Lowe's
Lowe's made an announcement February 1 that new parents will now receive 10 weeks' paid maternity leave and two weeks' paid parental leave, and an adoption assistance benefit of up to $5,000. Before the announcement, Lowe's didn't provide paid leave for new parents.
Job openings in Atlanta include a delivery coordinator in Chamblee and a support manager in Alpharetta.
Amazon.com
Whether or not Atlanta can land Amazon's HQ2 expansion, new dads who have worked at least one year continuously for the online retail behemoth can tap multiple parental leave benefits. Birth mothers get up to 20 paid weeks of leave, including four weeks of paid pre-partum medical leave, 10 weeks of paid maternity leave and six weeks of paid parental leave. The same paid six weeks is available to new biological fathers and all other new parents who have been with the company at least a year. Amazon's also well known for its industry-unique "Leave Share" option and a flexible return-to-work program known as "Ramp Back."
Job openings in Atlanta include a senior human resources assistant in Kennesaw.
OppenheimerFunds
Starting fresh January 2018, OppenheimerFunds offers 16 weeks paid leave for birth parents (previously 13 weeks) and eight weeks of paid leave for non-birth parents (previously five weeks).
Atlanta openings include a senior advisor consultant.
Credit: Associated Press photo
Credit: Associated Press photo
Starbucks
In late January 2018, Starbucks announced that starting October 1 it will give six weeks' paid leave for hourly workers (both full- and part-time), regardless of their gender. Before that, Starbucks offered 67 percent pay for birth mothers and adoptive parents but didn't give fathers paid leave. Salaried birth mothers receive 18 weeks of paid leave at Starbucks and salaried non-birth parents receive 12 weeks at full pay.
Atlanta openings include nearly 40 full-time barista or supervisor jobs and seven part-time.
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