In 2016, New York City public employees will be able to take six weeks of parental leave. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced this new mandate on Tuesday, making it a terrific holiday gift.


The initiative includes mothers and fathers who adopt or foster children, according to the New York Times, and makes New York City a leader in parental leave policy among workers in New York State as well as across the country. The mandate will be available to 20,000 of the city’s workers, including non-unionized managers and city workers like administrative assistants and accountants.

“Too many new parents face an impossible choice: taking care of their child or getting their paycheck,” Mr. de Blasio said in a statement. “This is a common-sense policy that will make for healthier and more financially stable working families.”


De Blasio’s announcement follows the boon of technology companies like Microsoft, Netflix and Spotify expanding their paternity and maternity leave programs over the last 12 months. Ideally, in 2016, even more companies try to outdo one another when it comes to allowing their employees to be more present parents—these policies are a win all around.

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