{"id":6621,"date":"2020-07-01T15:29:29","date_gmt":"2020-07-01T15:29:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.monsterindia.com\/career-advice\/maternity-policy-india-and-rest-of-the-world-6621\/"},"modified":"2024-10-14T19:20:35","modified_gmt":"2024-10-14T13:50:35","slug":"maternity-policy-india-and-rest-of-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/maternity-policy-india-and-rest-of-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"Maternity Policy: India and rest of the world"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/media.monsterindia.com\/cmsimages\/1593597491.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">I<span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">n a welcome move, the Centre has announced that maternity leave in private sectors will be increased to 26 weeks from the stipulated 12 weeks. According to the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 female workers are entitled to a maximum of 12 weeks (84 days) of maternity leave, with not more than 6 weeks before the date of delivery (Indian Express).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Year 2015 will be the bench mark year as far as maternity leaves are concerned.&nbsp; Merissa Mayer, CEO of Yahoo was making news across the world as she planned to take only two weeks maternity leave to deliver twins in December. On the other hand scene in India is looking brighter.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">This year companies are seems to be becoming more diversity conscious and making inclusive policies for women employees. Maternity benefit is one of the most important benefits always been talked about. Newest organizations are going extra miles for women and setting high benchmarks in the industry.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Citi India is offering leaves of 180 days as per the convenience of mother.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Citi Bank offers child care allowance of Rs. 1.32 lakhs annually for up to 4 children.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Filpkart has recently announced 6 months paid leave and 4 months of flexible working hours with full pay.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Google offers 5 months paid leave including salary, bonus and stock.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Does that mean that India has one of the best maternity benefits across the world? As per NDTV news data we get to see the global view on maternity leaves:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Canada<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td><td><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">50 weeks with 85% pay<\/span><\/strong><\/span><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Sweden<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td><td><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">56 weeks with 80% pay<\/span><\/strong><\/span><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Australia<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td><td><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">No maternity leave only parental leave of 18 weeks which can be divided amongst parents<\/span><\/strong><\/span><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Finland<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td><td><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Paid leave of 50 days before delivery and 4 months after delivery<\/span><\/strong><\/span><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">France<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td><td><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">16 weeks leave for single birth and up to 34 weeks for multiple births<\/span><\/strong><\/span><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Germany<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td><td><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">14 weeks leave with full pay<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Japan<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td><td><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">14 weeks leave with 67% salary<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">USA<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td><td><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">12 Weeks unpaid leave but given benefits from state<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">South Africa<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td><td><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">16 weeks leave<\/span><\/strong><\/span><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">So Indians have reason to smile. Experts mentioned extending maternity leave will also promote more women to return to work and close the gender gap in the labour market. Many women reluctantly drop out of work because they need more time for their newborns.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">The news went viral of social networking sites and got to see lot of reactions from women and men as well. Though the news is positive, women have expressed their concerns about job security once they come back.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">One of the ladies working an advertising company said, \u201cMixed emotions right now since it might even give room to decelerate the lady\u2019s career growth considering 26 weeks is 6.5 months!!! I would be all for it if they make that optional rather than mandating it!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">At the same time one young girl doubted about promotions and appraisals.&nbsp; Men also expressed hopes on the alteration in paternity leave.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">The surprising comment was, \u201cI really will think twice before taking such a long leave. It will impact my career.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">At the same time there are many working women who are not aware about the policies. The picture seems to be good in MNCs and in unorganized sectors women are not able to avail even existing policy. The uniformity in execution of maternity leave policy seems to be missing. To ensure the implementation of the policy government need to develop mechanism. The small scale companies where there is less than 20 workers face major challenge to implement this policy. Industry is moving forward contractual employment; women working on contract basis may not be able to avail this facility. The biggest question remain unanswered for working women face is do firm assure that their career path will not be affected if female employees choose to take career break?<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In a welcome move, the Centre has announced that maternity leave in private sectors will be increased to 26 weeks from the stipulated 12 weeks. According to the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 female workers are entitled to a maximum of 12 weeks (84 days) of maternity leave, with not more than 6 weeks before the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6622,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-6621","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-career-women"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6621","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6621"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6621\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42547,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6621\/revisions\/42547"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6622"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6621"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6621"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6621"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}