True story: I once stayed at a job because I was waiting to get pregnant—and stay pregnant.
I was ready to go. I was excited to leave. I wanted to move on to something bigger and better. But the idea of 16 weeks of paid maternity leave kept me tethered. At the time, it felt like the smartest decision for my family: get pregnant while employed here, take the leave, then reassess.
Funny how life works.
A few months after a miscarriage, I was abruptly and unexpectedly laid off. It felt like a double slap in the face. While I was internally scrambling to figure out next steps, I was also mourning the loss of benefits I thought I’d never find again.
But as God would have it, I landed another job—and for birthing parents, they offered 22 weeks of leave. Even more incredible? Non-birthing parents were guaranteed the same 16 weeks I had been clinging to so tightly before. I was genuinely astounded.
Although layoffs are widespread and deeply unsettling, it’s been powerful to see how some companies are stepping up—especially when it comes to fertility and parental benefits. My advice? Lead with these benefits. Loudly.
I wasn’t aware of my company’s parental leave policy during the interview process. I learned about it from a colleague returning from leave. Out of the three offers I was considering at the time, not one fully shared the scope of their benefits during negotiations. That information felt like “insider knowledge” when it should have been something shouted from the rooftops.
Trying to family plan around a company benefit may seem strange to some—but it’s real. We already plan career moves around buying a home, travel expectations, and compensation. For many of us, fertility and parental benefits are just as critical.
As more companies begin to pivot back toward hiring, let me share a not-so-secret truth: benefits build loyalty. Attracting and retaining top talent requires intention. Investing in fertility and parental benefits isn’t just compassionate—it’s strategic. It signals care, builds trust, and makes employees far more likely to stay long term.
Signed,
A new mom and her twins.