Diageo offers both genders parental leave of 26 weeks

BENGALURU: Diageo India has rolled out a family leave policy as part of move to further gender equality and build a more inclusive and progressive workplace. The policy offers all eligible employees a 26-week parental leave, comprising all benefits and bonuses, irrespective of gender or sexual orientation. This policy includes surrogacy, adoption, and biological conception.
“It’s no more spouses, it’s partners who get covered. It's a significant step in articulating our thinking is more holistic, and creating inclusive policies and environments for employees to thrive and succeed at the workplace. We believe that this will pave the way to greater equality, and talent is retained and nurtured,” said Aarif Aziz, chief human resources officer at Diageo India.
Effective July 30, this policy is applicable to all new parents and can be availed by new fathers anytime within 12 months of the birth/ adoption of the child, thereby allowing the mother to better manage her career as well as other priorities.
“Every employee is encouraged to equally focus on the joy of raising a new family; while continuing to thrive at work, ensuring that they can spend quality time and bond with their child,” Aziz said.
Diageo India is the maker of premium brands such as Johnnie Walker, Black Dog, Black & White, VAT 69, Antiquity, Signature, Royal Challenge, McDowell’s No.1, Smirnoff and Captain Morgan. The Bengaluru-based spirits maker employs 3,500 employees.
Diageo Business Services India in Bengaluru provides serves in business intelligence, analytics and data services, application and technology services.
The family leave policy offers Diageo India employees also a host of other benefits, including flexible working hours, creche allowance, maternity, and surrogacy coverage, up to 10-weeks leave in the unfortunate event of a miscarriage.
Recently, Accenture moved away from gender binaries. Policies, it said, would focus on the caregiver rather than gender or marital status. Accenture India’s life insurance benefit was previously restricted to the employee’s spouse and family members.
Now, the nominee can be anybody chosen by the employee. Accenture employees who identify themselves as LGBT+ can nominate their partners too.