Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) has announced Foster and Kinship Caregiver Leave Policy, offering up to four weeks of leave to employees who opt for pre-adoption foster care or become legal guardians as per their familial requirements.
The policy recognizes diverse family structures, broadening caregiving to include extended family, as stated by the company. The policy aligns with model guidelines for foster care introduced in 2015 and provisions under the Juvenile Justice Act.
Under the HUL policy, foster care involves becoming a guardian, not a parent, through the local authority, often preceding adoption in India. Kinship care entails assuming legal guardianship of a close relative’s child.
Commenting on this new policy, Anuradha Razdan, Executive Director HR & CHRO Hindustan Unilever & Unilever South Asia said, “Last week, we launched HUL’s Foster and Kinship Caregiver Leave Policy- our latest effort to build an inclusive and equitable workplace.”
“We are extending our care philosophy to cater to diverse familial arrangements. This industry-first program recognizes the importance of supporting all family structures. HUL rolls out kinship caregiver leave policy” she added.
Anuradha further said, “Employees fostering a child or acting as a legal guardian can now access 4 weeks of leave – available to caregivers of all genders.”
“This, combined with our existing 20+ equitable policies, empowers employees to manage personal and professional commitments with flexibility and takes us one step closer to building a more equitable and supportive workplace for all.” she further added.
HUL’s current policies encompass various support measures: extra medical coverage for disabled employees beyond group insurance; psychological, financial, and medical aid for abuse survivors; a gender transition policy providing medical, leave, counseling, and workplace transition assistance for transgender employees; and a career break policy permitting extended unpaid leave to balance career and personal commitments.
These initiatives underscore HUL’s commitment to employee well-being, inclusivity, and flexibility, fostering a supportive work environment that accommodates diverse needs and life circumstances.
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