Debate over gender equality and paid parental leave has gained traction over the last few months in both presidential nominees’ camps. Central to the argument is that parents, especially those earning a minimum wage, shouldn’t have to choose between their children and their jobs. Secretary Hillary Clinton has proposed that employees receive up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave, recouping at least two-thirds of their regular wages. Her opponent, Donald Trump, has his own maternity leave program in the works, the Washington Post reported this month, but it’s only applicable to mothers (tough luck, Dads).
[quote position="full" is_quote="true"]We will now have the ability to compensate all of our employees equitably, competitively, and professionally.[/quote]
Thankfully, not everyone has to wait in suspense until November; according to Eater, Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) in New York City has just announced that, come 2017, all full-time employees who have worked more than one year are entitled to paid parental leave. This means that employees in the front and back of house, from dishwasher to Maitre d’, will receive 100 percent of their wages for the first four weeks of time off, and 60 percent for a second four weeks. It isn’t just limited to mothers either—fathers and domestic partners are included, and the benefits provide support for newly adopted children and newborns alike.
Danny Meyer has already made waves and garnered recent praise for his Hospitality Included program, which has eliminated tipping in all 13 of his restaurants this year, raising and stabilizing the income levels of 1,800 employees.
“We will now have the ability to compensate all of our employees equitably, competitively, and professionally,” Meyer said in an open letter last October.
Meyer is paving the road for fellow restaurant owners and employers to follow suit, by setting the bar for high for better business practices and fairer wages for employees, especially those earning a minimum wage. USHG’s parental leave plan has been in place since 2015 for corporate employees, but now at the restaurant level, it could be an especially groundbreaking move because it will create a more woman-friendly environment—as in, she won’t have to choose between her newborn and her job— and it opens up more advancement opportunities for mothers in an otherwise male-dominated workplace.
While Danny Meyer’s plan falls short of Clinton’s 12 week, all-inclusive vision, his bold move comes long before any better policies are in place. Hopefully, it will bring greater gender equality for food workers, clean some low-wage grime of the grease ceiling, and push other leaders in the restaurant industry to follow suit.
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
Salzburg at nightCanva
Fancy homeCanva
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Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Juicy subject matter
Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.