Embracing parental leave: Insights from BILL employees

At BILL, we understand the importance of parental leave and its significant impact on family life. We proudly offer up to 18 weeks of paid Parental Leave to regular, full-time employees (18 weeks for birthing parents and 12 for non-birthing parents) to bond with a new child following the child’s birth, adoption, or foster care placement. 

Here, three of our BILL team members (Mike Karmindro, Scott Murray, and Jay Dunbar) share their experiences and insights on using parental leave, balancing work and family responsibilities, and the memorable moments they cherish.

Introducing Mike, Scott, and Jay

Mike Karmindro is a seasoned tech lead and staff software engineer at BILL, bringing over a decade of expertise in full-stack development across multiple industries.

Scott Murray is a senior staff product analyst at BILL, where he applies extensive expertise in data science and analytics to enhance product functionality and customer experience.

Jay Dunbar is a distinguished leader in data science and advanced analytics at BILL, where he spearheads initiatives applying computer vision, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to enhance business operations and outcomes.

How did you use your parental leave, and what benefits did it bring?

Jay: My in-laws stayed with us for six months, which helped with the transition. After that, I took three weeks off, returned for three weeks for a couple of onsite meetings, and then used another eight weeks. In hindsight, I wish I had taken it all at once for more focused time with my daughter, but I appreciate the flexibility that BILL offers.

‍Scott: I took five weeks right after my son was born and then another five weeks when my wife returned to work. This staggered approach worked well, allowing us to learn and balance our new responsibilities together while maximizing our time with our child and saving on childcare costs.

Mike: For first-time parents like me, it’s surprising how much change a baby goes through in the first year. My son had some challenging regressions around six and eight months, and I’m grateful I could take leave during those times.

What advice do you have about the benefits of parental leave and juggling work and home responsibilities?

Scott: We’re incredibly fortunate to have parental leave at BILL, so make sure to take advantage of it! The work will always be there, but you can’t reclaim those early days with your child. My manager and I created a document to help with my transition, outlining my responsibilities and who could step in while I was away.

Jay: Truly disconnecting is essential for bonding time with your child. I learned that my team would manage just fine while I was gone. 

Mike: Parental leave helped me ease back into work without feeling overwhelmed by change, especially because work is ever-evolving.

Did you have a memorable day during parental leave? What made it special?

Mike: Every milestone is memorable—whether it’s your child saying "dada," trying solid foods, or crawling. Being present for these moments without work stress is a huge benefit of intermittent leave.

‍Scott: Every day was something new, but being present for the early day smiles, giggles, and other milestones was priceless.

‍Jay: For me, it was stepping up to support my partner after her first six months. It really made me appreciate the effort that goes into the little things. One specific memorable time was after going several days with little sleep (pictured below). It is pretty amazing to push past what you thought you were capable of.

How did you transition back to work as a new parent?

Jay: Having advance notice of my leave allowed me to document my team’s processes, identify project leaders, and establish points of contact for my stakeholders, team, and manager while I was away.

Scott: I took ten weeks of leave but worked four weeks in between, which helped me stay connected with the team and eased my transition back. My manager and I created a plan to reintegrate into the team, ensuring I had the flexibility I needed as a new parent.

‍Mike: My wife and I tag-teamed our return to work. We don’t have help nearby so it worked best to stretch out her maternity and my paternity leave as long as possible. Our child went through some crazy regressions around month 6 and month 8, and I’m very thankful I was able to take leave around month 8 to help out as much as possible.

Authenticity creates a stronger workplace

At BILL, we celebrate the diverse experiences of our employees as they navigate parenthood and work. We believe that supporting our team members and their families during this important time is essential for both personal and professional growth. 

If you’re passionate about being part of a company that values work-life balance and supports its employees, we invite you to learn more about career opportunities at BILL and see how you can contribute to our mission of empowering small businesses. Join us in creating a supportive community where everyone can thrive!