CAREGIVER POLICY
Companies become stricter on return-to-office mandates, but considerate on employee needs
As the market shifts from being an 'employees' to an 'employer's market', return to office calls have been getting louder, with some companies even penalising employees who don't toe the line. However, while expanded flexibility is discretionary, there are several such examples across organisations.
Focus on inclusion; representation will follow, says Balaji Sreenivasan, EVP-HR, Colgate-Palmolive India
Companies focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for societal change and business benefits. Balaji Sreenivasan of Colgate-Palmolive India highlights authentic representation, an inclusive work environment, and the extended Supportive Caregiver Policy. They introduce the Workplace Inclusivity Policy, gender-neutral primary caregiver leave, and benefits for people with disabilities (PwDs).
India Inc embraces gender-neutral parental leave policies for inclusive work environment
India Inc revamps parental leave policies to support changing family structures and foster inclusion. Companies like Colgate-Palmolive and Hindustan Unilever introduce gender-neutral initiatives. Volvo Group and Standard Chartered enhance parental leave programs. Expert Mansee Singhal emphasizes economic benefits for organizations.
Hindustan Zinc aims to have 30% women across levels
The Vedanta group company has nine board members, of which five are women. Pointing out that there are barriers, including psychological, to inclusion of more women in the workforce, especially in male-dominated sectors of mining and manufacturing, Priya Agarwal Hebbar said, “It is also got to do with whether companies have the right policies to attract women.”
HUL rolls out kinship caregiver leave policy
Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) introduces a foster/kinship caregiver leave policy, offering up to 4 weeks of leave to employees for pre-adoption foster care or becoming legal guardians. The policy emphasizes diversity, family wellbeing, and compliance with guidelines and acts.
Red flag: Why are so few women checking into India Inc’s C-suite?
Only 4% of exec directors at Nifty 50 are women, and across NSE-listed cos that figure drops to 3%; enabling policies needed to empower them. There is a persistent and high level of unconscious bias as well. Allyship is key. “Boys’ clubs still operate that many times do not give women the right kind of projects (that can advance them in their career) thus demotivating many women who see their juniors becoming senior and moving ahead,” said Girotra.
- Go To Page 1
Vedanta introduces 12-month sabbatical leave for new mothers
Vedanta Ltd. has implemented a comprehensive parenthood policy, including a 12-month sabbatical for new mothers. The policy provides options for working from home or flexible hours after maternity leave. It also supports career growth during maternity leave. The benefits extend to all employees, including single parents and LGBTQIA+ individuals.
WFH: Work for home
Women may be more likely to want to work from home (WFH) than men. They've also had a harder time doing so, reporting higher rates of stress, depression and sheer hours worked - especially if they have kids. This paradox is a result of women trying to do the best thing for their careers while also navigating an unfair role in society and at home. In other words, women need more flexible work arrangements, because women have more to do....
Companies warm up to liberal parental leave policies
From April 1, financial services firm JP Morgan will be increasing paid paternity leave in India from the current 10 days to 16 weeks; adoptive/surrogate parents will also be entitled to the same. Pfizer India announced a 12-week paternity leave policy for both biological and adoptive fathers.
Suits & Sayings: Start-up boss turns caregiver to ailing dad in US; steel billionaire aims for space; fitness bug lands this tycoon in hospital
This businessman with a blue chip legacy has been caught by the fitness bug.
Bizongo gives employees freedom to create, improve HR policies
Through this move, the company - which has 300-odd employees - now gives its employees the freedom to establish rules for their workplace and put their well-being first. As part of the programme, employees will collaborate to create and improve HR policies, as well as to outline the complete employee experience.
Government working to reduce inequalities in old age
The Constitution of India has been considerate about supporting senior citizens, with Articles 38 (1), 39 (e), 41 and 46 making it incumbent on the state to make provision for public assistance in old age.
Zeta rolls out slew of initiatives towards parental support
The company is moving away from gender-based differentiation for parental leave and will instead look at the role of primary or secondary caregiver. Secondly, there will be no differentiation on natural birth, surrogacy, or adoption.
Shriram Group to provide financial security to employees in case of unforeseen situations
This policy will provide financial support to the family of deceased employees, where the death is due to non-accidental reasons, including Covid.
Meesho introduces 30-week gender-neutral parental leave policy
The parental leave policy ensures non-discrimination irrespective of gender, sexual identity, marital status, or the circumstance of parenthood, and also covers live-in partners, the statement noted.
Diageo India announces equal parental leave for all employees; introduces 26-week paternity leave
Effective July 30, 2021, this policy is applicable to all new parents, and can be availed by new fathers anytime within 12 months of the birth/ adoption of the child, thereby allowing the mother to better manage her career as well as other priorities.
Cyient introduces new gender-neutral parental leave policy globally
Under the new policy, Cyient employees, including birth and adoptive parents of any gender, can take up to 12 weeks of paid time off at full pay following the birth or adoption of their child, the company said in a statement.
India notifies first policy on rare diseases
In the new policy, formulated after detailed stakeholder consultations, 'rare diseases' have not been defined but classified into three groups based on expert opinion.
The next normal: In post-Covid world, robust D&I policies will attract women talent to firms
Studies have indicated that women business-owners could create over 150-m jobs in India by 2030, which needs to be fully leveraged
Procter & Gamble introduces new inclusive parental leave policy
New policy to entitle all new parents including biological parents, domestic partners, adoptive parents, parents in same-sex couples to eight weeks fully paid parental leave.
TresVista rolls out new policies to support employees working from home
The caregivers’ special leave is not limited to Covid-19. This paid allowance is to take care of immediate family members. On hospitalisation, employees can take up to 10 working days paid leave for immediate or extended family.
Swiggy rolls out childcare and parenthood policy to benefit diverse workforce
Employees will receive benefits for adoption, fertility care and surrogacy, which include five days of leave in a calendar year in order to take up counselling sessions and fulfill other legal and medical procedures.
Budget 2020: Online degree courses to students from weaker sections; new edu policy soon
Presenting the Budget for fiscal 2020-21 in Parliament, Sitharaman said a new education policy will soon be announced and the government proposes to provide about Rs 99,300 crore for the education sector in 2020-21 and about Rs 3,000 crore for skill development.
4 commandments a woman founder should remember to get funds and keep their startup going
There are two sides to the story — one glorifies the startup world as a virtuous one full of people with funding pockets, who often believe that the moment of truth is at hand.
Companies go liberal in giving time off to new dads
In March this year, Ikea launched its six-month parental policy for both female and male employees; especially encouraging men to take more responsibility at home.
At Microsoft India, caregivers to get four weeks of paid leave
Microsoft India on Friday announced four weeks of paid caregiver leave for employees who are looking after immediate family members with serious health conditions.
PayPal announces enhanced caregiving policies for employees in India
The move is part of PayPal's continuing efforts to ensure a balanced approach to work and life among its employees in the country.
IT majors, banks take lead for adoption
Accenture joins a club of corporates such as Standard Chartered, Citibank, Barclays, Murugappa group and HCL who choose to give 22-28 weeks leave for adoption surrogacy.
How healthcare became sick-care and what can be done about it
Changes are needed in the healthcare policy that supports an ecosystem in keeping its population healthy and not just fixing the sick.
Load More
