isn't a guide to career success. It's got some clear lines in it that if you cross, might mean instant career failure. But it isn't helping you succeed in your career.

Plus, "the Company" is a thing comprised of a lot of people and owners (and hence opinions). It doesn't think any single thing. Your HR director probably thinks taking 6 weeks of paternity is just peachy. Others, not so much. And again, it depends on who you are and your position. But for an extreme example, it would absolutely not be ok for the CEO or CFO to just disappear for 6 weeks under the Company's paternity policy. Even though the policy applies to them too. The board would get rid of them faster than you can say "paternity." Some companies really hate paternity and only provide it because it's required by law (in some places).

Maternity is different than paternity. Obviously mothers need way more time than fathers. The poor mother has to decide "how much" time she needs. If companies are are being honest though, they really like it when their female employees pop out babies, set up night care and nannies, and then come back in 3 weeks. Those women are going places. And if you are a man taking 6 weeks of paternity, those ladies are going to take your promotion.