Ikea India Announces 26-Week Parental Leave For Men, Women, Surrogate & Single Parents
Moreover, female employees will also get additional benefits like reduced work hours whilst they are nursing, an additional two weeks of leave with full pay in case of a tubectomy operation, leave with full pay and benefits.
In a major move, furnishing company Ikea India has announced a new parental leave policy under which all employees, including men and women, will be eligible to six months of parental paid leave this month onwards.
In addition to the 26 weeks leave, women employees will have an option of truncated work hours by 50 per cent for another 16 weeks, the Swedish furnishings heavyweight said.
"I am delighted to share this news with all our co-workers in India who are working towards opening stores and building the Ikea brand," Ikea India Country HR Manager Anna-Carin Mansson said.
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She further added that the policy is a reaffirmation of the company's commitment to empower co-workers and provide equal opportunities. Interestingly, the policy is applicable to single parents, surrogates and adoption as well.
Moreover, female employees will also get additional benefits like reduced work hours whilst they are nursing, an additional two weeks of leave with full pay in case of a tubectomy operation, leave with full pay and benefits for a maximum period of one month in case of illness arising out of pregnancy, delivery and premature birth of the child.
In order to achieve its commitment to a 50/50 gender balance, Ikea is also putting in some unique actions like day care centres, long-term training and development plans that allow employees to have career paths even while having and raising a family, among others.
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The statutory parental leave in India is for three months. In 2015, Indian e-commerce giant Flipkart rolled-out an attractive parental leave. It offered an extended maternity leave of 24 weeks plus four months of flexible work hours with full pay and if the need arises, one-year career breaks without pay.
With this Ikea has joined the list of progressive companies, which are making the workplace more attractive to women.
Vodafone and Accenture had also announced enhanced maternity benefits, increasing the quantum of leave beyond the statutory requirement.
