While it's clear that paid parental leave helps families who are raising children, there's still an enormous case to be made that it benefits businesses as well. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Alexis Ohanian, the founder of Reddit, is speaking up for parental leave after he took 16 weeks paid paternal leave in 2017 when his daughter Olympia was born. As a guest writer in The New York Times, Ohanian makes the case that all people, including fathers, deserve to spend quality time with their family as well as have a rewarding work life.

It's a compelling case, and an argument that understandably resonates with many Americans— why choose between family and work? It shouldn't have to be a choice—you can have both. Employers need to recognize the importance for any individual, regardless of gender, to have parental leave benefits.

The business case

While it's clear that paid parental leave helps families who are raising children, there's still an enormous case to be made that it benefits businesses as well. More than a goodwill gesture, parental leave holds colossal weight for the business in respect to employer brand, attracting talent and ensuring your company benefits from a skilled and diverse workforce.