Are you a working woman and expecting a baby? Then you might be wondering about your maternity leave policy. For that matter, the government has pre-decided the maternity leave policy in India. This helps working women take time-off from the office to take good care during pregnancy. We’ll understand the policy in detail in this blog.
The benefits of the maternity leave policy are numerous. Such as, it gives you the time to heal properly. To bond and take good care of your newborn. And also to balance the rollercoaster of emotions that come along with being a mother. So let us go into the details of this special & beneficial Maternity Leave Policy in India.
Introduction
In India, maternity leave is a legal right for every pregnant woman. The government of India has decided that all female employees get proper time off from work. Thus, making sure that they recover well and also take sound care for their newborn baby. You need time to rest, heal, and adjust to life as a new mother. Hence, making maternity leave important for the mother and infant’s health. Moreover, in the first few months, the baby needs and, in fact, “deserves” the best care & attention.
The Maternity Leave Policy in India is designed to help working mothers with all that. It states that the women must get a paid leave of up to 26 weeks. And it can be divided before and after childbirth too. It depends on the needs of the female employee. Now, let us understand the rules, benefits, and how you as a pregnant woman can apply for maternity leave in India.
What is Maternity Leave?
In simple words, maternity leave is the time off you take after giving birth. It helps to focus on your baby and your health. The maternity leave policy in India is a law that allows the women to take up to 26 weeks of maternity leave if she is pregnant. Resultantly, the policy turns fruitful for working females as they don’t have to worry about losing the job or salary during leaves. The law is applicable over all sectors and industries. The law is brought into effect to empower the ladies out there who want to carry out family planning effectively. While also managing their career or professional life altogether. The best part about maternity leave policy is that the employer “must” continue to pay your salary during this time period. Helpful, isn’t it?
Furthermore, If you’re an adoptive mother. Then, you are eligible for 12 weeks of leave. (provided the child is younger than 3 months old)
Days of Maternity Leave in India
So, for how many days, do you get maternity leaves in India? What is the exact duration? Let’s have a look.
- Firstly, you are entitled to 26 weeks of paid leave.
- If this, up to 8 weeks can be taken before delivery. (if needed)
- Moreover, adoptive mothers get 12 weeks of paid leave. (applicable if the child is less than 3 months old)
- Additionally, the Government employees enjoy 180 days of maternity leave for their first two children.
The aim of these leaves is to let the women have proper relaxation and rest during their motherhood without worrying about job retention. You can even have the option to Work From Home after your maternity leave. It depends on your company’s policy.
The Benefits of Maternity Leave
Let’s look at some key benefits of taking Maternity Leave.
1. Rest & Recovery: Your body needs time to heal after childbirth. So, maternity leave gives you the much-needed & much-deserving time to rest.
2. Mental Calm: Studies show that professional stress can cause a negative impact on your baby’s growth. Even before they are born! So, having a peaceful mind during pregnancy is indispensable. Thus, making maternity leave further important.
3. Baby’s Health: As a mother, you must take care of your nutrition and health during and after pregnancy. It is “The” most crucial part of the time period. And with a Maternity Leave, you can carry out all this keeping in mind your baby’s development.
4. Employee Experience: Believe it or not, companies that offer good maternity leave policies see higher employee retention and loyalty. It improves that overall employee experience to great heights. Hence, if you are an employer reading about Maternity Leave… Then you must abide by the law and empower your female employees for the good.
Maternity Leave Policy in India
India is a developing country and our first maternity leave bill was introduced back in 1961 called the Maternity Leave Benefit Act 1961. The Maternity Leave Policy in India ensures that female employees have 12 weeks of paid leave after giving birth to care for her newborn. The law applies to companies with more than 10 employees. The law applies to all female employees contracted, hired or employed by an organization.
The Act also provides for the different types of maternity leave and benefits available to women in the business and public sectors. This “full pay leave” is available to working women who are pregnant or breastfeeding to take care of themselves and their children. The 2017 amendment, a major revision to India’s previous Fertility Act 1961, applies to companies and factories with 10 or more employees. Either organized or unorganized.
The provisions for paternity leave have also been finalized following the recent passage of the Maternity Leave Act for extended paternity leave. To prevent women from being disadvantaged and to ensure that childcare responsibilities continue to be shared, more equality in parental leave must be achieved.
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Maternity Leave Rules in India
The Maternity Leave rules in India states the following:
- You are eligible for 26 weeks of paid leave. You can use up to 8 weeks before your delivery.
- Adoptive mothers of children younger than 3 months old get 12 weeks of leave.
- If you’ve had a tubectomy operation, you are entitled to 2 weeks of leave from the date of your surgery.
- If you experience post-pregnancy complications, you can take up to 1 month of additional leave.
- Government employees get 180 days of maternity leave for their first two children.
- For private sector employees, rules may vary, so it’s best to check with your HR team.
Applying for Maternity Leave in India
Here’s a quick guide to apply for maternity leave in India. You can fill the maternity leave form either online or offline. It depends on your industry and organization.
- Fill out the maternity leave form, available on your company’s HR portal or through your employer.
- Attach a certificate of pregnancy from your doctor.
- Mention the expected date of delivery and the duration of leave you wish to take.
- Submit the form to your HR or supervisor.
Once you apply, your employer is responsible for paying your maternity leave salary. Some companies may even pay you in advance. Some conditions and rules might vary from company to company.
Importance of Maternity Leave
For the employee: Maternity leave empowers women. It allows you to rest, recover, and bond with your baby, all without the fear of losing your job. Moreover, it helps in breaking the stereotype that childbirth marks the end of a woman’s career.
For the employer: Companies benefit too! Employees are more loyal and productive when they are given the support they need during significant life events like childbirth.
Conclusion
Maternity Leave in India ensures that you get the time you need to care for your newborn and yourself. Taking this time off helps you return to work refreshed and ready, knowing that your baby received the best care possible.
By offering maternity leave, companies help create a healthy work-life balance for their employees, which in turn leads to a happier and more productive workforce. And as a mother, you deserve nothing less! So, make the most of your maternity leave and cherish every moment with your newborn.
