Nestlé has announced the launch of a more ‘inclusive and enhanced’ global parental support policy. Under the new policy, parental leave for primary caregivers will be extended to 18 weeks of fully paid leave from 14 weeks. The new policy also establishes a minimum of four weeks for secondary caregivers, for which there was no global minimum before. The new gender-neutral policy will apply to all employees worldwide, confirmed the multinational food and drink company.
Commenting on the new policy, Nestlé CEO Mark Schneider, stated: “Every family is unique, so we have designed a parental support policy that is flexible enough to work for us all. Supporting the healthy development of infants has been a core value of our company since our founding. Our new parental support policy is an important part of our efforts to provide children with the best start in life, by allowing parents to spend more time with their new child.”
NEW MINIMUM STANDARDS
According to Nestlé, its latest policy sets new minimum standards but does not set limits. This means that in some places, Nestlé may choose to offer more leave than the 18 weeks for primary caregivers and the four weeks for secondary caregivers. The company will ‘always provide longer parental leave if local laws require it’, added Nestlé.
In addition to the new arrangements, the parental support policy reinforces employment protection, non-discrimination, health protection, the availability of flexible working options, as well as breastfeeding support.
“We want to make Nestlé an even more inclusive and inspiring place to work,” said Nestlé Head of Group Human Resources Béatrice Guillaume-Grabisch. “This is a policy that will benefit every one of our people when they welcome a new child to their family, wherever they are in the world.”
Nestlé said it will begin implementing the policy in 2020, with the global rollout to be completed by the end of 2022.
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