Maternity and paternity leave for parents of newborns is common in every workplace. But have you heard of a ‘pawternity’ leave?
HarperCollins Publishers India has introduced “pawternity leave” for employees adopting pets. The publishing house has begun to grant its staff paid leave of five working days to allow them time to bond with their new pets. As part of the initiative, the publisher is also allowing staff to bring their pets to work, as well.
The practice may be common abroad but is unheard of in India. “At HarperCollins, we want the very best of work-life balance for our colleagues, and that includes being mindful of their family needs,” HCI Chief Executive Ananth Padmanabhan told HuffPost India. “Pet children need as much attention [as human children], if not more. We don’t want colleagues to worry about the number of leaves they have before deciding to start a family.”
Completely empathising with the responsibility which comes with adopting a pet, they are allowing employees to have the time to bond with their pet companions. As part of the initiative, the publisher is also allowing staff to bring their pets to work, as well. A designated area has been set up for the animals at the company’s Noida office.
“We are always thinking of ways to make HarperCollins the best place to work for, in every respect. In fact, in the UK, we just won an award for diversity in the workplace,” said HR chief at HCI, Manjula Sreekumaran.
