Levs’ attorneys filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission this week, accusing the company of violating the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for discriminating against him for his gender.
“We’re so used to the stereotype of women being caregivers that we don’t often think about the role that biological fathers play, which to me is equally important,” said Andrew Coffman, Levs’ attorney.
Before his third child was born last month, Levs said he “followed protocols” in asking Time Warner to change the policy to permit the “same” paid leave to biological fathers.
“Finally, after I pushed yet again, Time Warner rejected my request last week — 11 days after my child was born, while I was already out taking care of her,” Levs wrote in his blog. (Levs could not be reached for comment by ABC News.)
A spokesman for Time Warner provided a statement to ABCNews.com that read, “We don’t comment on pending legal matters, however it should be noted that Time Warner and its businesses have been recognized for providing employees with some of the most progressive and inclusive benefits available. The company’s parental leave policy is fair, non-discriminatory, flexible and available to all employees.”
Time Warner’s reported policy of 10 weeks of paid leave appears to be more generous than what is standard for even women who give birth.