Energy management and automation organisation Schneider Electric has launched a new paid global family leave policy that will be rolled out across its 100 worldwide operating locations by January 2019.
The new policy, which forms part of the organisation’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, will enable both birth and adoptive parents to take paid leave in order to care for their new child. Primary carers will be able to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave and secondary carers can take up to two weeks of paid time off under the new policy.
The policy further allows employees to take one week of paid leave to care for an immediate family member, who either needs eldercare or care due to a serious health condition. The new global policy will also cover bereavement leave, and affected employees will be able to take one week of paid leave for the death of an immediate family member.
The global family leave policy will be rolled out to approximately 40 of Schneider Electric’s sites, including China, the US and Mexico, by January 2018. All of the organisation’s operating locations will have the policy in place by January 2019.
The new policy will also take into consideration local legal requirements, with the paid leave arrangements forming a global minimum standard across the organisation. If a particular country’s legal requirement or current practice is more than the global minimum standard set out in the new policy, then the higher standard will be adhered to. Whether employees are eligible to take up the various leave arrangements is also subject to local laws as well as current eligibility for Schneider Electric benefits.
Schneider Electric will provide resources to all operating locations to ensure that the new global policy is understood and supported by both management and employees.
Olivier Blum (pictured), chief human resources officer and executive vice president at Schneider Electric, said: “Diversity and inclusion is an integral part of who we are and what differentiates us. That is how we drive innovation, engagement and high performance. I feel proud to be an industry leader to establish the global family leave policy. It will reinforce our diversity and inclusion ambition of providing equal opportunities to everyone, everywhere and ensuring that all employees feel uniquely valued and safe to contribute their best.”