Yahoo’s chief executive, Marissa Mayer, is expecting twin daughters. Her decision to take only two weeks of maternity leave and to work throughout has added fuel to an already raging debate about paid maternity leave in the United States.
Mayer revealed this week that she and her husband are expecting twin girls.
Since my pregnancy has been healthy and uncomplicated and since this is a unique time in Yahoo’s transformation, I plan to approach the pregnancy and delivery as I did with my son three years ago, taking limited time away and working throughout.
— Marissa Mayer, CEO, Yahoo
Some believe firmly that her break ought not to be so brief and others are wondering why she mentions it all. Mayer was hired in 2012, when Yahoo was struggling.
Mayer has instituted generous reforms for new parents: Yahoo offers new mothers 16 weeks of paid leave and fathers can claim upto eight weeks of leave with pay. Parents who adopt or bring home foster children are offered eight weeks of leave.
Anne Weisberg, senior Vice President of the Families and Work Institute in New York, says that Mayer’s announcement is “disappointing,” given that corporate leaders set examples for their employees.
- She’s a role model and I think she should take whatever Yahoo’s parental leave is – the mark of a great leader is that they have a strong team and don’t need to be there all the time themselves. And she’s having twins – just physically that’s a big deal.
— Anne Weisberg, Senior Vice-President, Families and Work Institute
Kristen Rowe-Finkbeiner, Executive Director of the advocacy group MomsRising, asked why Mayer should even have to discuss her plans or have them debated. She also pointed out that Mayer can afford to take two weeks off because she has access to resources for childcare that most mothers in America do not.
When was the last time a male CEO was asked about how he would handle a new baby and his work? Men aren’t asked if taking a shorter time off will hurt the child. They don’t feel the need to justify themselves and explain their decisions.
— Kristen Rowe-Finkbeiner, Executive Director, MomsRising
Brad Harrington, Executive Director at the Boston College Center for Work & Family, has said Mayer’s choices are her own.
It’s her prerogative as chief executive. The good thing about being a CEO is that you get to issue edicts and let people know you are in charge. If you’re going to be gender neutral, then her behaviour is not that different from most male CEOs, who take a week or maybe two of paternity leave.
— Brad Harrington, Executive Director, Boston College Center for Work & Family
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