Why Isn't Paternity Leave a Standard Practice in India Despite Growing Support for Childcare?

I would like to know why women get around 60 days of paid maternity leave, while men don't even get a week off for the same. Although we talk about equality and justice, we do not really practice the same. Already, people don't have more than 2 children now, and with more and more men supporting their wives for childcare, I think it's high time we start having Paternity leave in India. Please post your comments.

Dear Manisha,

I am absolutely in support of your post. Though no law has been formed in India regarding this issue, nowadays, many companies have started introducing this leave. I feel all the more bad for probationers. Confirmed employees can take leaves from their leave accounts, but the probationers who do not have any leave in hand have to go through the painful without pay leaves.

I think until any legal act is introduced for the same, we HR community should come forward and try to introduce it in our own companies. At least we can raise this issue in the management.

Thanks,
Sunetra

Hello, dear!

I appreciate you for raising this issue. In our company, only 2 days are given for the same. However, last week, I took 10 days for it. This was because my wife needed bed rest for at least 10 days after a cesarean operation. Unfortunately, the company did not provide for this situation. This is indeed a crucial matter for us, and I fully agree with you.

M. ARUL
marul@suzlon.com

Dear All,

I do agree with this issue. We need to bring in Paternity leave. I agree that some companies provide this type of leave. But it would be good if all companies provide such leave. In my company, it is only 2 days. We need to at least give 1 week.

Rgs,
Lavanya :)

Hello,

In India, we already have a provision for paternity leave. It is 15 days post-delivery. I am not very aware of the amendments and laws supporting this, but there are many companies that offer paternity leave.

Regards,

Introducing paternity leave will help both male and female candidates. The male will feel happy to be a part of the post-delivery (birth of the baby) period, while the female will be relieved that her husband is with her for a minimum number of days to share her bundle of joy, which comes with a high degree of responsibility.

As an employee (male/female), one would definitely feel proud that his/her company has such a provision and that the organization cares for this sentiment of the employee.

Ambika Kamath

Hi,

Thank you for raising a wonderful topic for discussion. In recent times, with nuclear families in place all over India, it's high time the government considers this. Although some companies do have such leaves available, it is limited to a handful of them. If paternity leave is enacted just like maternity leave, it would be great. This can also act as a big morale booster to the employees and may, to some extent, reduce attrition.

At least as a community (HR), we can all start to discuss this issue with our respective managements and get at least 5 days (1 week) of paternity leave as a matter of policy. What do you say?

Regards,
Rajeev

Dear Friends,

Now the Indian government is also following the paternity leave policy. I don't have more information about this; please refer to the November 20, 2007, Times of India newspaper. In that edition, an article was published about the paternity leave taken by an IPS officer.

Regards,
Madhu

Hi,

It is correct that in India, we have a provision for 15 days of paternity leave. I have observed that employees in government offices are availing this benefit. However, in the private sector, it is not at the same level.

Regards,
Tikam

Hi Friends,

I do not know about other states. In Chennai (i.e., Tamil Nadu), PL is being given by many companies. Even we practice 15 days of PL in our company.

Correct me if I am wrong.

Priya Maran