Inculcation of an inclusive workplace regime (IWR) has been explained as the core reason why leading banking group, Access Bank Plc, beginning from January 2018, approved the parental leave policy that extends paid benefits to all new mothers and fathers.
Otherwise, with effect from this month, male employees of Access Bank Plc can take advantage of an enhanced parental leave policy that extends paid benefits to all mothers and fathers. An official of the bank who spoke to Business Hilights on Thursday said “Fostering an inclusive workplace, the policy offers paid leave to all new parents at the bank including mothers and fathers, as well as adoptive and surrogate parents”.
Continuing, the official averred that “The new policy, which is the first in the Nigerian banking industry, offers one week fully paid paternity leave to male employees and allows them to care for their offspring and spend some quality time with the new addition to their family while supporting the new mother who needs the break”.
Also included in the new policy is a surrogacy or adoptive leave with full pay for three calendar months for female employees of the bank.
“These benefits supplement the 12 weeks of paid leave Access Bank currently provides to birth mothers. The policy also complements the bank’s existing health and flexible workplace benefits, which support work-life balance.
Giving additional insight, Head, Group Human Resources, Bolaji Agbede, said paid parental leave allows parents to truly bond with their new child, balance their work schedule and help reduce conflict with parental obligations.
She disclosed that “Studies have shown that fathers who take paternity leave are more likely to take an active role in child care tasks and will continue to play this role long after the period of leave has ended. It is important for the new father to take time off as it helps all parents, regardless of family structure. This new policy is an evidence of the bank’s support to employees during this wonderful but challenging time in their lives”.
