In a recent move that has caused widespread backlash, Elon Musk has cut Twitter’s parental leave policy from 20 weeks to just 2 weeks. This decision, as per internal company documents, has caused concerns among employees who now fear that their work-life balance will be compromised.
The new policy, which applies to all Twitter employees, regardless of gender or location, has been termed as a significant step back by critics, who say that it is essential for companies to offer generous parental leave to encourage diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.
Musk, who is the CEO of both Tesla and SpaceX, has faced criticism in the past for his workaholic tendencies and disregard for work-life balance. This move has only served to reinforce his reputation as a leader who values productivity over the well-being of his employees.
The decision has also impacted the fate of several Twitter employees who were on H-1B visas and had taken advantage of the previous 20-week parental leave policy. Many of them have been fired, according to a Business Insider report, causing outrage and controversy in the tech industry.
Experts have pointed out that reducing parental leave is not just harmful to employees but also counterproductive for businesses in the long run. Research has shown that companies that offer better parental leave policies and work-life balance attract and retain more talented workers and perform better overall.
For now, though, Twitter employees will have to contend with just two weeks of parental leave, a decision that has been met with widespread criticism and concern. The move has also raised questions about the power dynamics between CEOs and their employees and whether such unilateral decisions should be allowed in the first place.