A major company based in Shanghai has introduced a generous new benefit that is sparking widespread discussion. The firm has announced that all eligible full-time male employees will receive a fully paid paternity leave of no less than 20 days, effective from May 1, 2026.
Trip.com Group Limited (ASX: TCOM) co-founder and scholar focusing on population and innovation issues, James Liang, officially announced this new policy. He explained the motivation behind enhancing the leave, stating that a father's involvement in childcare is crucial. He noted that mothers endure significant hardship in the first few months after a child's birth, a period during which fathers can share the burden. Liang expressed his belief that companies should provide more paternity leave, and he hopes the company's move will set an example, helping mothers better balance their careers with raising children, thereby supporting new families.
This new benefit not only increases the number of leave days but also offers flexibility. Employees can apply to use this leave flexibly within a window from five days before the expected due date up to six months after the child's birth. This initiative follows the company's introduction of a hybrid work policy in 2022, a "Next-Generation Growth Allowance" in 2023, and child-care leave in 2025. The extension of paternity leave is seen as addressing the needs of working fathers to take on childcare responsibilities in newborn families, providing stronger support for employees' families.
Nationwide Implementation with Local Adjustments
The company has established this benefit of no less than 20 days of paternity leave nationwide, adapting to the varying statutory requirements across different Chinese provinces and cities. For instance, in Shanghai, where the statutory leave is 10 days, the company will provide an additional 10 days. In regions like Beijing, Guangdong, and Jiangsu, where the statutory leave is typically 15 days, the company will uniformly add 5 extra days.
Employee Experiences with Enhanced Family Benefits
For many new fathers, the extended leave translates directly into more substantial care for their families. Wang Weijie, a front-end development engineer, was among the first to benefit from this policy. During his paternity leave, he became a full-time caregiver for his wife who gave birth in their hometown in Henan, meticulously preparing three meals daily for her postpartum recovery. He expressed his intention to use the extra time to assist his wife with her postpartum recovery, emphasizing the importance of her health.
The new policy also helps families balance challenges like long commutes or childcare pressures. Zhao Haisheng, a research and development engineer, shared similar sentiments. With a one-way commute exceeding an hour, he relies on the company's work-from-home policy to save energy and can accompany his wife for important prenatal check-ups. Upon learning he would also benefit from an annual 3-day "childcare leave" and the upgraded paternity leave, he remarked that having more leave days would make tasks like taking the child for vaccinations or hospital visits much more manageable.
Public Reaction and Industry Context
The announcement has generated significant online buzz, with many netizens expressing envy and high praise for the company's move. Numerous comments called for other companies to follow suit, hoping for a positive "competition" in employee benefits. However, some voiced concerns that small and medium-sized enterprises might struggle to replicate such generous standards, potentially widening the福利 gap between large corporations and smaller firms.
In recent years, more "treasure companies" in Shanghai have been introducing various forms of paid parental leave to help alleviate employees' childcare burdens. For example, in 2021, Alibaba Group rolled out a comprehensive plan including 10 days of annual paid parenting leave for children under three, 7 days of family companionship leave, supplementary medical insurance for children, and one day of work-from-home per week.
Similarly, the multinational company SGS Group, located in Shanghai's Minhang District, has globally implemented a "Daddy Leave" policy since 2021, allowing male employees to apply for up to 16 weeks of fully paid paternity leave within 12 months of a child's birth.
Nestlé Greater China Region also implemented its parenting support policy starting January 1, 2022, covering all regular employees. Male employees who are primary caregivers can enjoy 18 weeks of fully paid parenting leave, with the option to apply for additional unpaid leave up to 6 months. Secondary caregivers are entitled to a fixed 4 weeks of fully paid leave, usable before the child turns three. The company also offers flexible work arrangements, nursing rooms, and supplementary family medical insurance.