Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) has launched a policy which entitles its employees to 100 days of maternity leave, said to be the first time by any company in Sri Lanka.
The policy, aimed to mark International Women’s Day which fell on Thursday, entitles SCB employees to 100 working days of paid maternity leave on the birth of their first or second child, and 50 working days of paid maternity leave for a third child and any subsequent children. In addition to this, the bank already offers Paternity Leave and Adoption Leave to its employees.
SCB said in a media statement that it will continue to pay the employee full pay for the duration of the leave and the employee will suffer no loss of earnings during this period.
Deshika Rodrigo, Head of Human Resources said “As over 48% of the Bank’s employees are female, the new policy will ensure that a young mother spends adequate time with her newborn until the baby is at an age to be taken care of by a caregiver. In addition to this, our crèche takes care of children aged 6 months and older. This allows female employees to continue their careers without the worries of quality childcare.” |