It’s a significant increase for the tech giant, with its former policy offering 12 weeks to primary carers, and two to secondary carers.
Going one step further, Microsoft will also offer four weeks of paid leave to those who need to take care of an immediate family members with a serious health condition.
And rather than having to wait six months before accessing such leave, an employee can now access the entitlements from day one.
According to data from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, primary carers in Australia receive an average 10.5 weeks of employer-funded parental leave, while secondary carers receive 1.5 weeks.
A number of tech companies now offer leading incentives for those planning a family. At Google, parents can access 18 weeks at full pay, while REA Group now offers a massive 26 weeks.
In a statement released by Microsoft to Women’s Agenda today, the company said it believes the new parental leave policies, “Will ensure that both mothers and fathers have time to bond with a new child, whether through birth, adoption or foster placement.”