India ranks among top ten countries in terms of companies providing paternity leaves above the statutory requirement: Mercer
In fact, there has been a significant shift in the attitudes of companies towards paternity leave.
- Sep 21, 2016,
- Updated Sep 21, 2016 6:32 PM IST
In Asia Pacific, 41 per cent of the companies provide paid paternity leave above the statutory minimum whereas globally it is 38 per cent of companies overall.
Kangan Shekhar, India Benefits Product Head, Mercer says, "Paternity leave in India has been gaining prevalence over the last few years. We have seen the percentage of organisations providing this benefit rise from about 60 per cent in 2014 to 75 per cent in 2016. While the number of days provided have remained fairly consistent over the years at five days, many more organisations are allowing employees to avail the leave from the date of joining."
In fact, there has been a significant shift in the attitudes of companies towards paternity leave. According to Mercer's 2016 Global Parental Leave report, 42 per cent of companies worldwide encourage their employees to take paternity leave. More employers are also reviewing their parental leave and include adoption leave under its ambit. As families now include same sex parents, companies are offering time-off to parents of adopted children.
According to Mercer's 2016 Global Parental Leave report, more than one-quarter (29 percent) of companies worldwide provide adoption leave beyond what is required by law, India being amongst the top ten countries globally doing so.
Furthermore, when asked how they handle adoption leave for same-sex couples, 87 per cent of companies indicate that the leave is handled in the same manner as opposite-sex couples.
"Adoption leave in India, like paternity leave has gained prevalence over the last few years with the percentage of organizations providing this benefit increasing from 33 per cent in 2014 to 43 per cent in 2016. While most organisations provide 45 days as adoption leave to female employees, a few organizations provide the same entitlement as maternity leave, which is 90 days. Additionally, many companies are also extending adoption leave benefits to male employees indicating the increased importance of parental leave policies," added Kangan.
Organisations are also expanding leave policies to include fathers, part-time employees and caregivers of parents to ensure inclusivity among their workforce. While almost two-thirds (64 per cent) of companies worldwide provide maternity leave to only the birth mother, 24 per cent of companies provide this leave to the primary caregiver - regardless of gender.
Also, as work life balance becomes the buzz words employers are also offering support programs for parents, employees, and managers to recover from miscarriage or offering leave to care for family members.
According to Mercer's 2016 Global Parental Leave report, two-thirds (67 per cent) of companies worldwide provide family care leave to their employees. The length of leave is typically a few days fully paid, although some countries allow for an extended period of unpaid leave.
While this practice is highest in Europe, Middle East and Africa and lowest in Asia Pacific, globally, the family members that are most frequently covered by a family care leave policy are children (97 per cent).
All the data is based on weighted statistics within the global database which includes 50 countries.
In Asia Pacific, 41 per cent of the companies provide paid paternity leave above the statutory minimum whereas globally it is 38 per cent of companies overall.
Kangan Shekhar, India Benefits Product Head, Mercer says, "Paternity leave in India has been gaining prevalence over the last few years. We have seen the percentage of organisations providing this benefit rise from about 60 per cent in 2014 to 75 per cent in 2016. While the number of days provided have remained fairly consistent over the years at five days, many more organisations are allowing employees to avail the leave from the date of joining."
In fact, there has been a significant shift in the attitudes of companies towards paternity leave. According to Mercer's 2016 Global Parental Leave report, 42 per cent of companies worldwide encourage their employees to take paternity leave. More employers are also reviewing their parental leave and include adoption leave under its ambit. As families now include same sex parents, companies are offering time-off to parents of adopted children.
According to Mercer's 2016 Global Parental Leave report, more than one-quarter (29 percent) of companies worldwide provide adoption leave beyond what is required by law, India being amongst the top ten countries globally doing so.
Furthermore, when asked how they handle adoption leave for same-sex couples, 87 per cent of companies indicate that the leave is handled in the same manner as opposite-sex couples.
"Adoption leave in India, like paternity leave has gained prevalence over the last few years with the percentage of organizations providing this benefit increasing from 33 per cent in 2014 to 43 per cent in 2016. While most organisations provide 45 days as adoption leave to female employees, a few organizations provide the same entitlement as maternity leave, which is 90 days. Additionally, many companies are also extending adoption leave benefits to male employees indicating the increased importance of parental leave policies," added Kangan.
Organisations are also expanding leave policies to include fathers, part-time employees and caregivers of parents to ensure inclusivity among their workforce. While almost two-thirds (64 per cent) of companies worldwide provide maternity leave to only the birth mother, 24 per cent of companies provide this leave to the primary caregiver - regardless of gender.
Also, as work life balance becomes the buzz words employers are also offering support programs for parents, employees, and managers to recover from miscarriage or offering leave to care for family members.
According to Mercer's 2016 Global Parental Leave report, two-thirds (67 per cent) of companies worldwide provide family care leave to their employees. The length of leave is typically a few days fully paid, although some countries allow for an extended period of unpaid leave.
While this practice is highest in Europe, Middle East and Africa and lowest in Asia Pacific, globally, the family members that are most frequently covered by a family care leave policy are children (97 per cent).
All the data is based on weighted statistics within the global database which includes 50 countries.