More cos offer 6-mth leave to both parents

In a step towards making work cultures inclusive and progressive, more organisations are increasing their secondary caregiver parental leave. Some companies are now calling paternity leave 'partner-led' to ensure it is gender-neutral.

- Namrata.Singh timesgroup.com

Earlier, several companies had removed gender binaries and allowed primary caregivers to avail of the 26-week childcare leave. But secondary caregivers seldom get paid leave beyond 2 weeks - in some cases it extends to a month to support their partners. This is gradually changing and Natwest Group and Cure.fit are the latest to join the club.

Natwest's 'partner leave policy', which is open to both same-sex and heterosexual parents, will come into effect from January 2023. The policy will allow employees with service tenure of six months or more with the bank to take up to 12 weeks' paid leave from work to care for their new child whether it is through birth, adoption or surrogacy. Earlier, the quantum of leave was 2 weeks.