AXA Group is launching, as of 1 January 2017, a parenting policy to support employees in most of the 64 countries in which it operates. Whatever their family situation, all Group employees will receive a minimum of 16 weeks and four weeks fully paid maternity and paternity leave, respectively.
As further encouragement, employees who take advantage of this policy are guaranteed that they can return to an equivalent role with the same salary and benefit structure. Thomas Buberl, Group Chief Executive Officer, AXA asserted “This global policy gives all AXA employees the same rights and opportunities when expanding their family. I am convinced that a good balance between professional and private life is absolutely necessary to the performance and professional fulfilment of our employees.” The policy will be rolled out across AXA’s network in Asia and implemented according to local market legislation, taking into account social and cultural factors.
The paid leave is a stark contrast to legal minimums enforced by the government. The worst offender is the US which gives employers no legal requirement to offer paid maternity and paternity leave at all.
Legal minimum paid maternity leave in APAC
| Fully paid Maternity leave in weeks: Legal Minimum | Fully Paid Paternity leave in weeks: Legal Minimum | |
| Japan | 14 | 0 |
| India | 12 | 0 |
| Philippines | 8 | 1 |
| Hong Kong | 10 | 3 days |
| Singapore | 16 | 1 |
| Indonesia | 12 | 2 days |
Shubhro Mitra, Regional Chief Human Resources Officer, AXA Asia added, “The new parental policy is an attractive offering, supports diversity and will positively impact over more than 23,000 employees and our future workforce for the long term sustainability and success of AXA in Asia going forward.
Paul Arkwright
Publisher
