To keep female staffers happy, the objective is to introduce human resource policies that would give them the satisfaction at work along with increasing their productivity.
Menstrual policy
IndustryArc, a three-year-old start-up in Hyderabad has initiated a menstrual policy, which allows their women employees to take a day or two off during their menstruation. However, they have to finish their pending work later.
Extended maternity leaveWhile the traditional three months maternity policy is being extended to six months, companies such as Accenture are still working on extending the 24 weeks leave to 26 weeks. For mothers who go through complications during childbirth receive an additional four weeks of leave, along with the normal 18 weeks of paid maternity leave at Google.
Leave, reimbursements for fertility treatmentCompanies now offer leave and reimbursements for IVF treatments. For instance: Godrej Industries has modified its leave benefit policy to allow women employees to claim sick leave for time taken off for fertility treatment. Sick leave at the company can be availed of in an unrestricted capacity by all employees. EY (formerly Ernst & Young) multinational professional services, has started offering fertility treatment coverage where the employees are being offered $25,000 for fertility treatments and adoptions.
Surrogacy and adoption policyPregnancy, surrogacy and adoption – all are equal as they bring baby in a home. Companies are offering same benefits to couples opting for surrogacy and adoption as for maternity. “We provide same maternity benefits to couple who are opting for surrogacy and adoption,” said Tanaya Mishra, managing director, HR at Accenture.
Creches in office premisesMany IT firms such as HCL have incorporated creches in the offices. Last year, Swedish furniture giant Ikea said it will open crèches at all its 25 stores in India to make it easier for female employees to cope with not-so flexible job timings. “We will be doing this for the very first time, in any country, specifically in a bid to attract women talent,” Anna-Carin Månsson, country HR manager, IKEA, said earlier.