Dad sues J.P Morgan for equal paternity leave, seeking respect for dads as caregivers

Dad sues J.P Morgan for equal paternity leave, seeking respect for dads as caregiversDad sues J.P Morgan for equal paternity leave, seeking respect for dads as caregiversDerek Rotondo, a J.P. Morgan Chase employee, today filed a federal complaint for 16 weeks of paternity leave, seeking to prove that dads can be caregivers for their children as much as moms can.Rotondo filed the lawsuit against his company with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, alleging that biological mothers automatically get16 weeks of paid leave, while fathers get only two weeks unless they prove they are a babys primary caregivers.pullquoteJust because Im a father, not a mother, it shouldnt prevent me from being the primary caregiver for my baby./pullquoteRotondo, a father with a newborn, wanted to take the full paid leave his employeroffered, but he said he welches not considered a primary caregiver by human resources. At J.P. Morgan, dads are only considered primary caregivers if the partner is working, or ifthe birthmother ismedically unableto take care of the child, according to the complaint. Meanwhile, biological mothers of new babies at the bankdo not have to provide proof that they are the primary caregiver. Adopting parents and same-sex and domestic partners at the company are also under the primary caregiver constraint.Because his wife, a teacher, was in good health and was on summer break, Rotondo did not qualify for more paternity leave under the banks rules. The policy assumes that Rotondo would not want to be the primary caregiver if all things were going well for the mother.It was like something out of the 1950s. Just because Im a father, not a mother, it shouldnt prevent me from being the primary caregiver for my baby.I hope that J.P. Morgan will change this policy, Rotondo said.J.P. Morgans parental leave policy is outdated and discriminates against both moms and dads by reinforcing the stereotype that raising children is womens work, and that mens work is to be the breadwinner, the American Civil Liberties Unions Galen Sherwin said in a statement. The ACLU filed the complaint on Rotondos behalf.J.P Morgan said itisreviewing the charge, accordingto Reuters. If the EEOC finds enough cause in Rotondos case, the EEOC could give Rotondo authorization to sue J.P. Morgan.Benefits of parental leaveAlthough theFamily and Medical Leave Act gives employees 12 weeks of unpaid family leave in America, the United States does not federally mandate any paid family leave.But there are multiple studies that prove that paid paternal leave is a benefit for all involved. When fathers take parental leave, mothers are able to rejoin the workforce more quickly. And fathers who took parental leave were more likely to be involved in their childs life later on.Although his employer offered some paid parental leave, Rotondo saidhe was doing this not only for himself, but for all fathers who wanted the same equal chance that mothers got to stay up, change diaper s, and watch theirchild grow in their first weeks of life.