Swiggy, the online food- delivery platform, has announced a new initiative to support its employees in their journey of pet care and adoption. Dubbed the ‘Paw-ternity’ policy, this programme aims to provide comprehensive assistance to pet parents within the company.
This inclusive approach includes significant paid leave for primary and secondary caregivers, along with provisions for bonding time, adoption, surrogacy and support for experiences such as miscarriage and IVF. The ‘Paw-ternity Policy’ will be available for all its full-time employees.
Under this innovative policy, employees will enjoy an extra paid day off, separate from their annual leave entitlement, to welcome their new furry companions into their homes. The policy’s launch coincided with National Pet Day, celebrated on 11 April.
The employees will get a settling-in period, where they may choose to work from home to provide essential comfort and support to their new family members.
Furthermore, the policy allows pet owners to utilise their casual or sick leave without hesitation to attend to their pets’ needs, whether for routine vaccinations or accompanying them to veterinary appointments.
Recognising the profound bond between humans and their pets, Swiggy will also extend bereavement leave to pet parents, allowing them the necessary time to grieve and recover from the loss of their beloved companions.
This thoughtful initiative demonstrates Swiggy’s commitment to supporting the holistic well-being of its employees and their furry friends alike.