Schneider Electric’s new global family leave policy

The policy will let employees enjoy paid personal leave and manage their personal and professional lives better.

Schneider Electric has announced a global family leave policy for its employees across all countries. Under the new family leave policy, the employees will be provided with fully-paid parental, care and bereavement leave.

The leave policy will allow employees across the globe to avail paid personal time and better manage their life and work.

As per the new policy, the primary parents—whether it is a case of natural birth or adoption—will get 12 weeks of paid leave. For secondary parents, there is a provision of two weeks of paid leave.

Employees will also get one week of care leave, if an immediate family member needs either elder care or care for a serious health problem.

In the event of death of any immediate family member, the employees will get a week of bereavement leave.

Speaking about the new family leave policy, Olivier Blum, chief human resources officer and Executive vice-president at Schneider Electric said that “The global family leave policy will reinforce our diversity and inclusion ambition of providing equal opportunities to everyone, everywhere and ensuring all employees feel uniquely valued and safe to contribute their best”.

The new policy will be adopted in more than 40 countries including the US, Mexico, China and India by January 2018. By January 2019, it has plans of deploying this policy all over the globe.

It is to be noted that if a country’s legal requirement or current practice is more than the minimum standards of family leave policy, the higher standards will be followed.

Also, the eligibility to take advantage of this family policy may vary, based on the local laws of a country and also the current eligibility for the Schneider Electric benefits.