Dear Dads, 

The world of work today is nothing like you ever imagined. Technology has transformed jobs. Skills of today might not be relevant tomorrow. However, the good news is that workplaces are more gender balanced than ever! 

We know that you will continue to burn the midnight oil to make sure that your daughters and sons excel in their professional and personal lives. In this race of trying to make the workplace more friendly for women and mothers, you might feel that your need to strike a balance between work and life is being ignored. 

We understand. As compared to Gen X dads, millennial fathers are becoming more vocal about wanting to stay home and spending time in caring for their children. Being able to set an exemplary example for those who look upto you not only at home but also in your office is your priority. We really appreciate that about you. 

Being able to “have it all” is your goal too. And feeling rushed and caught between balancing work and family life is a struggle for you too! 

But, we urge you to not despair. There are some policies and changes that are transforming the business leaders’ and society’s perspective towards parenting. The realization that child-care is a shared responsibility is being reflected in workplace policies! 

Some companies have actually taken meaningful steps in ensuring that fathers get to spend equal time with their families as mothers do, especially at the beginning of the parenting journey. 

Zomato and Bloomberg LP are two of the many leading firms who have extended their parental leave policy from 18 weeks of fully-paid leave to 26 weeks, just this year! Now, both mothers and fathers get equal leaves. Starting from July 2019, Novartis will start a phased out plan for its new global parental leave policy. This policy will offer equal parental leave to all parents--through birth, surrogacy, or adoption, regardless of gender. 

Organizations such as these are paving the way for a new global minimum parental leave standard. 

However, there is still a lot of work to be done when it comes to creating an equal workplace that offers fathers the opportunity to be actively involved in their children’s early lives. There are still 71 percent of the organizations that are not offering paternity leave and from the ones that offer paternity leave, the pressure to not take advantage of this right, remains high. 

On this Father’s Day, we’d like to thank all the dads who work tirelessly to create a better and friendly workplace for all, for sharing your expertise and wisdom and for the invaluable mentorship. 

Let’s take this moment to acknowledge that the global economy has a long journey ahead when it comes to creating a truly equal workplace for both dads and moms. 

With love,

All your working children