Expanding a family is a significant and exciting life change. At P&G, we believe caring for home and family has no gender, and that when all parents have access to paid leave and the ability to share in caregiving, it’s healthy for children, parents, families and the Company.
P&G’s #ShareTheCare policy offers all P&G employees responsible for a child’s upbringing (mothers, fathers, domestic partners and legal guardians) eight weeks of paid leave to care for and bond with children new to their family.
A few P&G fathers share how they enjoyed time at home with their newborns and the impact the extended leave had on them and their families.
‘A Work Culture That Encouraged Me to Take Leave'
Chris Sanchez, Senior Director, North America Hair Care
“Between my wife and I, we have more than 20 years of service at P&G. We also represent the 1 in 8 couples that experience infertility. Our journey has included miscarriage, emergency room visits, surgeries, IUI cycles, IVF cycles, multiple rounds of injections and countless ultrasounds and bloodwork before we were blessed with a positive pregnancy result and welcomed our first child in 2018. This was a physically and emotionally exhausting and stressful period, taking us through highs and lows. The greatest support I could provide was to physically be present at every step. It was important that I attended every doctor appointment and every round of new news.
In 2021, my wife and I welcomed our second child. It was not only exciting to bring this new addition home, but it was extremely exciting to know that I would be leveraging the eight-week P&G paternity leave. In partnership with my manager and my team, we built and aligned on a coverage plan that truly enabled me to disengage and be present at home for my wife, toddler and newborn. While those eight weeks weren’t easy, the ability to be there for my family in some of the hardest and most exhausting times is exactly where I needed to be. There was never any question of ‘if’ I would utilize this benefit, but what I found is that the experience was maximized with a work culture that encouraged me to take leave.
It gives me great pride as a P&G employee to know that we have a Company and managers who put families first. P&G supports employees through their personal and professional journeys.”
‘The Business Couldn’t Have Been More Flexible’
Matt Thomas, Senior Brand Director, Commercial Operations, Grooming, Northern Europe
"When my daughter was born, I took the statutory two-week paternity leave. Whilst it was incredible to be able to spend time with my family in those early days, any parent knows those first two weeks are unlike anything else. Having the opportunity to take an additional six weeks of leave from work once my daughter was a bit older was awesome. The business couldn’t have been more flexible. They even allowed me to change the timings of my leave so I was able to take it when coronavirus restrictions had eased, meaning that my wife and I were able to go spend time with our families and properly introduce our daughter to them.
The impact of my paternity leave has extended far beyond my relationship with my family. Personally, it’s helped me create a strong bond with my daughter in a way which I believe could only have been done through taking an extended period of time away from work. Career-wise, it’s had a huge impact, too. I’ve been in my role for five years now, and I felt quite nervous at the prospect of taking six weeks off and leaving my team to pick up extra work in my absence. But honestly, I think it’s the best thing I have ever done for my career. I returned refreshed, with a newfound energy and excitement for the day-to-day."
‘The Company Grows and We Grow Together’
Diego Cerda, Vice President – Latin America Baby Care and Feminine Care, Brazil
“Parental leave is one of the most important and relevant moments for families with children. I am the father of four girls and can affirm that the P&G paid parental leave had a very positive impact on me and my entire family. With my youngest daughter’s birth, I had the opportunity to experience eight weeks of paid parental leave to spend time with her and my family. I wanted to welcome my daughter into the world the way that she deserved.
Once my daughter was born, I was able to slow down and focus on her and my family. I bonded with my new daughter and supported my wife and other daughters more thoroughly because of my time at home.
I was able to be fully present with my family during this beautiful time.
I am more than grateful to P&G for this paid parental leave. I returned to work with more energy and passion than ever. The Company grows, and we grow together. This leave is a benefit not only for me as an employee, but for my whole family.”
‘Enjoyed A Different Kind of Happiness’
Bruce Huang, Wood Xu, and Neo Yang became new P&G fathers recently and shared their perspective on their experiences during their paternity leave.
“I was basically a super dad!” said Huang, Site Integrated Planner, Greater China Fem Planning Service Center. “Changing diapers and bathing my son. Late at night, I would take over. If the baby was hungry, I would get up and give him formula. The paternity leave gave me the opportunity to get involved in the growth of my son.”
“I am very grateful to the company for giving us the eight-week paternity leave so that I could spend time with my child and enjoy a different kind of happiness,” said Xu, Greater China Technical Maintenance System & Load Builder Key User.
“Our employees’ interests and our Company’s interests are inseparable,” said Yang, Director, Greater China Product Supply Go to Market Package Innovation. “The paternity leave enables me to better take care of my family. I felt the support from the company and the team. There is no perfect dad or mom in the world. We all learn how to be a good dad or good mom. It’s a learning and growth process for everyone. Every child needs our companionship.”
The benefits of building equality into our parental leave policy are far-reaching. Research has shown that being at home with children for an extended period after birth can strengthen the parent/child bond. It also allows fathers to be more involved in their child’s development, resulting in healthier lives, better relationships and more personal satisfaction.
At P&G, we want to build a world and workplace free from gender bias, with equal voice and equal opportunity for all individuals.
At P&G, we want to build a world and workplace free from gender bias, with equal voice and equal opportunity for all individuals.
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