• by Danielle Oster , July 30, 2024

Securing parental leave has been a longstanding struggle for workers in the U.S. When employers do provide policies beyond those covering maternity leave or leave for a birthing partner, many still don’t extend such policies to fathers and non-birthing partners.

Historically, such discussions have been driven by women fighting for equal pay, opportunities, and rights in the workplace, and focused on securing maternity leave so mothers wouldn’t be pushed out of work. But the conversation has evolved alongside an awareness that gender equality isn’t attainable unless parents of all genders are given the space to take time off work to care for a new child.

Progress on securing such parental leave policies has been slow, despite associated benefits. Seventy percent of fathers return to work full-time less than two weeks after welcoming a new child to their family, according to the National Partnership for Women & Families.

Bobbie, a mom-founded pediatric nutrition company, teamed up with Tan France -- the fashion designer, host of “Queer Eye” and co-host of “Next In Fashion” --  himself a father, to push for guaranteed paternity leave in the U.S.

“Whoever said that paid leave is a paid vacation, has never raised their own child," France, who also plays an active role in Bobbie as a board member, said in a statement.  “I can be equally good at my job, if not better than most when I'm also given a shot at taking care of my family and myself too,” he added, saying he was using his platform to speak “on behalf of all dads here in the U.S. who want to be present with their partner and their baby— not just present with their jobs.”

In the campaign – entitled “When Dads Take Leave” –  France shares his own perspective in a video posted to Instagram, comparing the average two weeks given to non-birthing parents for parental leave to the approach in his native U.K., calling the approach of U.S. workplaces “inhumane.”

The campaign drives viewers to a “Parents Push Harder” landing page calling on parents to contact their representatives and demand they support  the Family And Medical Insurance Leave act — which would provide all workers up to 12 weeks of paid leave to care for a new child, if passed. The site features a longer-form video of France sharing his personal views and experiences with parenting and parental leave.

 “Since day one as a brand we have proudly taken a stand -- not just for moms -- but for diverse family units from all over the U.S,"  Bobbie Chief Brand Officer Kim
Chappell said in a statement.

“Tan is a queer, Muslim, immigrant with two babies via surrogacy, and his unique and powerful voice on this issue is representative of so many modern families who are typically left out of the conversation,” Chappelll added. “By advocating together for The FAMILY Act -- in an election year, no less -- we hope all parents and caregivers will get the support they need and deserve with paid leave for all in America.”