Chapter 14: Examination (Matthew)

I fidget with my pen while I impatiently wait for this meeting to start. The only reason I’m here is for Daniel even though it is killing me to be away from him right now.

“All right. I think we can get started.” My father says, seeing that everyone on the board was present. “Matthew, I know you have things you want to attend to so why don’t we have you present first.”

I sit up and straighten my papers in front of me.

“I’m here today because I personally was not aware of the challenges our employees face when they become parents. I wasn’t aware how little time is allotted for leave after the birth of a child, whether it’s the employee or their spouse who gives birth. I have personally reviewed our current policy and I am disgusted. I am here today to propose that we rewrite our maternity/paternity leave policy. I would like to propose 12 weeks at full pay for non-complicated births and up to 12 months at full pay for parents who’s child is born prematurely and hospitalized for a dur