Access Bank Approves Paternity Leave

Ronke Kehinde/

What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

That is the position of Access Bank Plc now as far as leave for childbirth is concerned.

Access Bank has urged male employees to take advantage of its parental leave policy that extends paid benefits to all mothers and fathers.

The bank says in a statement that the policy, which started in January, would foster an inclusive workplace.

The statement further says that the policy offered paid leave to all new parents at the bank, including mothers and fathers, as well as adoptive and surrogate parents.

According to the bank, the new policy, first by a Nigerian bank, offers one week fully paid paternity leave to male employees and allows them to care for their offspring.

It also affords them in spending some quality time with the new addition to their family while supporting the new mother who needs the break.

Also included in the policy is a surrogacy or adoptive leave with full pay for three months for female employees of the bank.

The bank says those benefits supplement the 12 weeks of paid leave that it currently provides to women who just delivered babies.

The policy, according to the statement, also complements the bank’s existing health and flexible workplace benefits, which supports work-life balance.

The statement quotes Mrs Bolaji Agbede, Head, Group Human Resources, to have said that paid parental leave would allow parents to truly bond with their new children, balance their work schedule and help reduce conflict with parental obligations.

Her words: “Studies have shown that fathers who take paternity leave are more likely to take an active role in child care tasks and will continue to play this role long after the period of leave has ended.

“It is important for the new father to take time off as it helps all parents, regardless of family structure.

“This new policy is an evidence of the bank’s support to employees during this wonderful but challenging time in their lives.”

Besides, Agbede stated that a pregnant employee, who has spent 12 consecutive months also has the option of six months maternity leave.

She, however, added that the option allowed such staff to be entitled to two-thirds of full month pay, while the surrogacy or adoptive leave period would be three calendar months with full pay or six calendar months leave with two-thirds of full month pay.

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