How PTO policies are changing to meet employee needs

In the new competition for talent, employers are looking to sweeten the deal for employees. With a record number of workers leaving their jobs—and a sluggish return to full employment despite diminishing COVID-19 risks—employers are looking to offer new time-off perks.

According to research from Mercer, the number of companies offering paid time off for new parents skyrocketed in 2021 and both parents are more likely to receive time off to take care of their new child. The median number of weeks offered for maternity leave is six (starting after disability ends) and five weeks for the non-birth parent.

Employers are also offering new benefits like paid adoption leave, which has increased to 55% of employers offering the benefit (compared to 38% in 2018). The move comes as many employers are reevaluating their responsibilities for care of working parents who suffered terribly during COVID-19 and school closings.