COWI Denmark Introduces Groundbreaking Paternity Leave in India
COWI in India, a branch of the international engineering and design consultancy COWI A/S with a worldwide revenue approaching one billion dollars, has introduced a pioneering program for its male staff in India. This initiative involves providing extended paternity leave benefits, allowing up to six weeks or 30 working days for both childbirth and adoption situations.
As per the information from COWI, headquartered in Denmark, this benefit will be accessible in three segments, extending over a period of up to 12 months. The aim is to enable male parents to assume a more equitable role in overseeing responsibilities related to childbirth or adoption in India, both before and after delivery. "One of our core values ‘We Care’ drives us to care for our customers, people, and the planet. I am proud to say this is also evident in the COWI policies in India. Such initiatives help positively impact our colleagues and their families enabling work-life balance and creating value for our customers and business performance", said Rasmus Odum, Group COO and Chairperson of COWI India.
The extended paternity leave is a manifestation of the company's dedication to cultivating an inclusive and transparent work atmosphere. It aims to facilitate fathers in supporting their partners during the reintegration process into their professional roles, as stated by the company. Additionally, for mothers returning from maternity leave, the company provides the choice to work remotely for an extra six months, ensuring added flexibility and comfort.
“We have always believed in the concept of “trust-based” leaves, for the same reason COWI does not have a sick leave quota for employees. We believe the enhanced paternity benefit is a significant step forward in promoting overall well-being, which is crucial both during and after pregnancy", said Pierre de Rancourt, Managing Director of COWI India.
"Often, it can be a challenging time for men juggling multiple responsibilities and risking burnout. With this policy, we hope they can achieve a better work-life balance and provide much-needed support for their families", added de Rancourt. COWI maintains a robust market emphasis on sustainable energy, significant infrastructure, expansive buildings, climate adaptation, and the water sector. With a workforce exceeding 8,000 individuals representing 86 different nationalities worldwide, the company demonstrates a commitment to diversity and a global perspective.
As per the information from COWI, headquartered in Denmark, this benefit will be accessible in three segments, extending over a period of up to 12 months. The aim is to enable male parents to assume a more equitable role in overseeing responsibilities related to childbirth or adoption in India, both before and after delivery. "One of our core values ‘We Care’ drives us to care for our customers, people, and the planet. I am proud to say this is also evident in the COWI policies in India. Such initiatives help positively impact our colleagues and their families enabling work-life balance and creating value for our customers and business performance", said Rasmus Odum, Group COO and Chairperson of COWI India.
The extended paternity leave is a manifestation of the company's dedication to cultivating an inclusive and transparent work atmosphere. It aims to facilitate fathers in supporting their partners during the reintegration process into their professional roles, as stated by the company. Additionally, for mothers returning from maternity leave, the company provides the choice to work remotely for an extra six months, ensuring added flexibility and comfort.
“We have always believed in the concept of “trust-based” leaves, for the same reason COWI does not have a sick leave quota for employees. We believe the enhanced paternity benefit is a significant step forward in promoting overall well-being, which is crucial both during and after pregnancy", said Pierre de Rancourt, Managing Director of COWI India.
"Often, it can be a challenging time for men juggling multiple responsibilities and risking burnout. With this policy, we hope they can achieve a better work-life balance and provide much-needed support for their families", added de Rancourt. COWI maintains a robust market emphasis on sustainable energy, significant infrastructure, expansive buildings, climate adaptation, and the water sector. With a workforce exceeding 8,000 individuals representing 86 different nationalities worldwide, the company demonstrates a commitment to diversity and a global perspective.
.jpg "Sudeep Bhalerao: Astutely Balancing Empathy & Business Growth")
