An American multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporation, Pfizer India has announced 12 weeks of paternity leave for employees.
In addition to paternity leave in case of any complexity, the employee will be allowed to take additional leaves under Pfizer’s leave policies including casual leave, elective holiday, and wellness days.
Commenting on the new paternity policy, Shilpi Singh, director of people experience, Pfizer India said, “We believe the future of a progressive workspace will be defined by practices that harness a people-first approach.”
“The 12-week paternity leave policy will most certainly enable our male colleagues and their partners to cherish the experience and joyful moments of parenthood,” Shilpi Singh added.
“A progressive policy of this nature is the company’s endeavour to harness the power of equity at the workplace and enable both men and women to invest equal time in essaying their roles and responsibilities as a parent”, Shilpi Singh further said.
The policy is applicable from January 1, 2023. The leave is applicable for biological as well as adoptive fathers. The leaves can be availed in a single tranche is two weeks and the maximum is six weeks.
The leave policy is part of its diversity and inclusion initiatives. This will bolster its employee-centric work environment.
In India, government employees are entitled to get 15 days of paternity leave. However, there is no formal policy dedicated to employees in the private sector. But few private sector companies have set out progressive policies of their own.
Pfizer is also providing benefits such as Telemedicine with access to doctors across 30+ therapeutic specialties. Additionally, the company is providing benefits such as:-
- EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) offers global wellness and mental health support and medical plan.
- Infertility treatment up to a maximum of maternity coverage to create a safe and inclusive workplace for its employees.