Nestlé has announced that it has launched a new gender-neutral parental support policy for all employees across the globe.
As part of the new policy, parental leave for primary caregivers will be extended to 18 weeks of fully paid leave from 14 weeks previously.
"Every family is unique, so we have designed a parental support policy that is flexible enough to work for us all," highlighted Mark Schneider, chief executive, Nestlé.
"Supporting the healthy development of infants has been a core value of our company since our founding."
'Secondary Caregivers'
The policy also establishes a minimum of four weeks for secondary caregivers, for whom there was no global minimum before, the food giant said in its statement.
"Our new parental support policy is an important part of our efforts to provide children with the best start in life, by allowing parents to spend more time with their new child," said Schneider.
'More Inclusive'
The new policy also reinforces employment protection, non-discrimination, health protection, the availability of flexible working options, as well as breastfeeding support, the company added.
"We want to make Nestlé an even more inclusive and inspiring place to work," added Béatrice Guillaume-Grabisch, head of group human resources, Nestlé.
"This is a policy that will benefit every one of our people when they welcome a new child to their family, wherever they are in the world."
The group said that it will begin implementing the policy next year and aims to complete the global rollout by the end of 2022.
© 2019 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
