The Zebra’s New Parental Leave Policy Offers Twenty Weeks Paid Time Off

The Zebra's New Parental Leave Policy Offers Twenty Weeks Paid Time Off

The Company's Progressive Policy Among Most Generous Of All Austin Employers

AUSTIN, Texas - November 14, 2019 - The Zebra, the nation's leading insurance comparison site, announces a new parental leave policy, specially designed by employees for the needs of the growing company. The new policy provides primary caregivers 20 weeks of 100% company-paid leave and secondary caregivers 16 weeks of 100% company-paid leave, following the birth or adoption of a child. In addition, all caregivers are offered a flexible return to work program once their paid leave ends, as well as a $5,000 "baby cash" stipend. 

"We want to make The Zebra a place where people can spend their whole career. Our policies are growing and evolving as we are. I'm proud that our culture is always inclusive of all our employees, at each stage of their personal and professional lives, " says Keith Melnick, CEO of The Zebra and father of three. 

The Zebra's new policy comes on the heels of efforts already in place to support parents and mental health for all employees. In 2019, the company brought in speakers from the Postpartum Health Alliance of Texas and from National Alliance on Mental Illness, Central Texas Chapter, to host workshops specially centered around maternal mental health and stress management and reduction, respectively. 

"After the birth of my son, I was fortunate to receive a generous amount of paid parental leave at a major tech company in Silicon Valley. This experience positively shaped my entry into motherhood, and I was determined to advocate for a similar policy at my next employer," says Kristen Voglewede, Senior Manager at The Zebra and one of the architects of the company's new policy. "Being a pregnant woman driving this process has been very empowering. I'm so grateful to work for a company whose leadership team values working parents and is willing to improve a policy that will favorably impact their families' lives."

The Zebra's policy is one of the most generous among all Austin employers, offering more paid time off and a larger stipend for new parents than many larger area companies headquartered in the city, including Bumble, Whole Foods, Dell and Indeed*.  

The Zebra's current benefits include unlimited paid time off and flexible working hours for all employees. The Zebra actively encourages all staff, including parents, to take advantage of these benefits to ensure their life at home is balanced with their life in the office. The Zebra's new 43,000 square foot headquarters on Austin's East Side is equipped with three Mother's Rooms. Each room has refrigerators, noise cancellation for privacy, comfortable chairs, and private entrances accessible only to mothers. 

The Zebra's parental leave policy is inclusive to every type of family, applying the same benefits to all regardless of parents' sexual orientation, single parents or married couples, and adopted or biological children. 

*Sources: Employee-reported data at FairyGodBoss.com,  media interviews with Fast Company and InHerSight.com

About The Zebra

The Zebra is the nation's leading, independent insurance comparison site. With its dynamic, real-time quote comparison tool, drivers can identify insurance companies with the coverage, service level, and pricing to suit their unique needs. The Zebra compares more than 100 car insurance companies and provides agent support and educational resources to ensure drivers are equipped to make the most informed decisions about their car insurance. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, The Zebra has sought to bring transparency and simplicity to insurance shopping since 2012 -- it's "insurance in black and white."

Media Contact:

Nicole Beck

The Zebra

press@thezebra.com