Companies step up to increase Maternity leaves

Even as the government is trying to push for maternity leave upto 26 weeks for women employees , there are a host of Companies that are already taking steps in that direction. For example,  Tata Sons has formulated a set of new schemes specifically for female employees which came into effect in May. One of the major change is that pregnant women will get not just 6.5 months but complete seven months of paid maternity leave. The Company has also provides the facility of 18 months of half work, half pay scheme post-maternity. Not just that, the company will also be giving a six-month adoption leave and surrogacy leave.

"Our intent is to show that we care through a deep organisational commitment towards our woman employees. Maternity, for example, has been a key focus area. By offering seven months leave followed by post-maternity support of 18 months, we are providing a viable option to mothers to be at home during the critical early childhood," NS Rajan, the group chief HRO at Tata Sons said to ET. The policy also states that if a woman is an employee for five straight years at the company then she can avail for a year’s leave at half pay provided she is the care-giver at home.

Also read: Indian women earn 19% less than men: Report

Apart from that, Deloitte is one company that had already taken this leap of increasing maternity leave early this year when the amendment was still getting cleared. Some other companies that have joined the bandwagon are Airtel that has increased the maternity leaves from 12 weeks to 22 weeks, Flipkart now gives 24 weeks off. Microsoft is ready to give eight months off to the pregnant employee and two weeks of paternity off to the male employees, while Nestle has been granting anting six months off from February this year.

Also watch: Investing in women is investing in yourself: Alex Schlaubitz

It is an accepted fact that women tend to take a break from their careers after they get pregnant or think of starting a family. In this scenario, these mother-friendly policies will go a long way in retaining women employees for sure.

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Feature Image Credit: Telegraph