Fathers working in Breda to get 4 weeks paid leave

Breda internet marketing company Yonego is giving their male employees four weeks of paid paternity leave after the birth of their child. This was implemented on January 1st, Breda Vandaag reports. Owner Joris Toonders made the announcement to his employees when the came back after the Christmas holiday. He does not consider the extra paid leave an unnecessary cost. "I do not look at it like that. I think that it pays off if you invest in the happiness of your colleagues. You show that loyalty comes from two sides", he said to Breda Vandaag. "Personally I find it strange how it is regulated in the Netherlands. It is no longer of this time to say to your wife or girlfriend: mothers, good luck with that, I'm working." According to Toonders, the reactions are enthusiastic. "Also from women who are already mothers. They know what having a child means to the father and mother" The intent is that a new father will take the leave immediately after the birth of his child, but changes can be discussed. Toonders does not know how many of his employees will make use of the paternity leave. "Many of our employees are around 30, many of them are not parents, so it is not illogical that it is going to happen." With four weeks of paternity leave, Yonego is way ahead of Dutch legislation. Currently new fathers only get two days of paternity leave. This will be increased to five days from 2017 and ultimately to 10 days.