How Do I Convince My Employer to Support a 6-Month Maternity Leave Policy?

Hi All,

I have just joined a USA-based organization as an HR in India where the total manpower is around 30-40. I am in the process of framing a maternity policy for my employees. However, the challenge is that my employer is not entirely supportive of a 6-month full-fledged maternity leave. Therefore, I would like to seek suggestions from all of you - would it be acceptable to make it only for 3 months?

I appreciate your suggestions and guidance on this matter.

Thanks in advance!

Regards,
Greeshma

Dear Greeshma,

The act is not based on a case-by-case or company-to-company basis. It has been decided and must be accepted by all companies. If any deviation in the act is found, you will face penalties accordingly.

I request you not to make decisions that may lead to problems for you in the future.

Thank you.

Dear Greeshma,

As per the amended rules, maternity leave is to be 26 weeks, and every company/organization needs to follow the same. Hence, it is better to comply with the existing rules as violations will be costly.

In case an employee or anyone lodges a complaint, the Occupier/Manager will be behind bars, with other implications such as penalties, etc.

Dear Greeshma, when the central government enacts laws, these are applicable to all. Parliament is supreme in enacting the laws, and no citizen can overrule it. Secondly, you may have your internal HR policies. However, these should fulfill the statutory requirements, and they cannot override the laws that are in force. You may provide equal or more benefits than what the law stipulates but not less.

If whims and fancies, likes and dislikes are allowed to supersede the statutes, it will put a question mark against the sovereignty of the country itself!

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

As Mr. Dinesh said, the act has been amended, and the Maternity Benefit policy needs to be revised in accordance with the act. The policy needs to be clearly framed, and you can share the amended MB act with the management for their reference.

Hi,

As per the Government of India, the Maternity Benefit Act is applicable to all companies from April 1, 2017. It is an Act mandated by law, and we need to adhere to the rules it sets forth. For your reference, please review the guidelines at the following link: https://www.stacowiki.in/en/acts/st-...efit-act-1961/

Certainly! Here is the corrected text with proper spelling, grammar, and formatting:

But, could it be possible for an employer to take a tailor-made mediclaim/loss of pay insurance policy for employees with benefits on pregnancy.