Facebook offers new fathers FOUR MONTHS of paid paternity leave after Mark Zuckerberg announces he will take half that when his child is born 

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Facebook has announced new fathers working for the company will be allowed to take four months paid paternity leave.

The announcement comes after the company's founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed last week that he would be taking two months off work when his first child is born next year.

The new policy, which will come into effect from the beginning of next year, will cover all of Facebook's 11,000 staff worldwide and includes mothers, fathers and same-sex parents.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg with his pregnant wife Priscilla Chan. His company has announced new fathers working for them will be allowed to take four months paid paternity leave 

Announcing the move in a blog post, Facebook's Head of HR and Recruiting, Lori Goler, said: 'In reviewing our parental leave policies, we have decided to make this change because it's the right thing to do for our people and their families.

'Studies show that when working parents take time to be with their newborns, outcomes are better for the children and families.

'For too long, paid baby leave has been granted only to a mother who is giving birth. We believe that fathers and mothers alike deserve the same level of support when they are starting and growing a family, regardless of how they define family.'

Last week, Mr Zuckerberg, head of the world's biggest social network, said he will take two months of paternity leave after his daughter's birth.

He announced in July that he and his wife, Priscilla Chan, were expecting a baby girl.

 Last week, Mr Zuckerberg, head of the world's biggest social network, said he will take two months of paternity leave after his daughter's birth in a post on his Facebook page 

The couple met at Harvard in 2003 when he was a sophomore and she was a freshman.

They were married on May 19, 2012 in a quiet ceremony in their backyard and they announced their nuptials - like their pregnancy - with a post on Facebook.

In a post on his Facebook page alongside a picture of a pram, a yellow baby carrier and his dog, Beast, he wrote: ''This is a very personal decision. Studies show that when working parents take time to be with their newborns, outcomes are better for the children and families.'

The 31-year-old did not say who would be running the company while he is on leave.

It is likely that chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg, who oversees all of Facebook's advertising, will assume leadership.

Mr Zuckerberg posted a picture of himself and his family on his Facebook page to mark Thanksgiving. Pictured are his parents Edward and Karen, wife Priscilla and sister Arielle 

Meanwhile, Mr Zuckerberg posted a picture of himself and his family on his Facebook page to mark Thanksgiving.

He shared the Annie Lebowitz shot on his official page, writing; 'Priscilla and I have a lot to be grateful for this Thanksgiving and holiday season, and family is at the top of our list. This is a big year for our little family, and we're so filled with hope for all that's ahead.'

Also included in the photo are Zuckerberg's parents Edward and Karen and his sister Arielle.