Nordstrom Expands Paid Parental Leave Benefits

Nordstrom is expanding its parental leave benefits for employees. As of May 1, the retailer will offer up to 12 weeks of fully paid leave to birth mothers, and up to six weeks of fully paid leave to other new parents. The company breaks it down as follows:

• Eligible birth mothers can receive up to 12 weeks paid at 100 percent (with up to six weeks enhanced maternity disability pay and up to six weeks paid bonding leave).
• All other eligible parents (including nonbirth, adoptive or foster parents) are able to receive up to six weeks bonding leave, paid at 100 percent.

Employees must have been employed by Nordstrom for at least 180 days prior to the date of the date of birth or placement (in cases of adoption or foster care) of the child to be eligible.

Total Retail’s Take: This is a great decision by Nordstrom. Not only is this new policy important for the work-life balance of its employees, it will also help Nordstrom attract the best talent in the highly competitive retail industry. Nordstrom’s current maternity leave policy is six weeks of disability paid at 60 percent (or 100 percent for company leaders) for birth mothers; bonding leave is unpaid. Nordstrom joins a growing list of companies expanding parental leave benefits — Microsoft and Amazon.com have already expanded their parental leave benefits, and Starbucks announced it will do so beginning in October.