IKEA Unveils New Paid Parental Leave Policy

PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/GettyImages(NEW YORK) — IKEA announced a new parental leave policy for its employees on Tuesday, giving its 13,000 workers in the U.S. up to four months of paid parental leave.

The new policy covers all employees — both salaried and hourly workers, mothers and fathers, and adoptive and foster parents.

“At IKEA, we believe time with family and friends is so important for a healthy work-life balance and a happy and productive workforce,” IKEA US President Lars Petersson said in a statement. “This benefit, which applies to all parents, will give our co-workers the opportunity to spend more time with their families when welcoming a child.”

“Our co-workers are our most important resource, which is why we continue to invest in helping them reach their dream,” Petersson added.

The policy goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2017 and is based on a sliding scale depending on how long employees have been with the company.

Those who have worked for the Swedish retailer for more than a year “can take up to three months of paid leave to be with their family, receiving 100% of their base wage for the first six weeks of parental leave and 50% for an additional six weeks,” IKEA explains.

“Co-workers with three or more years’ tenure can take up to four months of paid leave, receiving 100% of their base wage for the first eight weeks and 50% for an additional eight weeks,” the company adds.

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