This archive report was first published on 26 November 2019.
Save the Children has made a significant move in promoting work-life balance for its employees in the United Kingdom. As of October 1, 2019, all employed parents, including those with adopted children, will be entitled to three months of paternity leave with full pay.
According to Save the Children CEO Kevin Watkins, the new policy is a step towards promoting health, child development, and gender equality. Watkins stated, “Increasing the leave available for parents is good for their health, child development and gender equality.”
The new policy will be backdated to October 1, 2019, meaning all employees who qualified for the benefits at the time will be entitled. This move is expected to promote ethnic and social inclusion for the workforce.
Kenyan companies, such as Safaricom, East African Breweries Limited (EABL), and Microsoft East Africa, are considering similar reviews of their paternity leave policies. In June 2019, EABL reviewed its policy to allow for up to six months paid maternity leave with fathers getting four weeks’ paternity leave. Microsoft East Africa has also enhanced its maternity and paternity leaves to 20 weeks paid leave with new fathers getting six weeks respectively.
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