Nestlé supports families with new parental leave policy in Middle East & North Africa

Following the global announcement in December 2019, Nestlé in the Middle East and North Africa has announced the roll out of the company’s new Global Parental Support Policy. Under the new more inclusive and enhanced policy, parental leave for primary caregivers will be extended to 18 weeks of fully paid leave from 14 weeks previously. The policy establishes a minimum of four weeks for secondary caregivers, for whom there was no global minimum before.

Unveiled on International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on March 8, “the new policy is the latest step aimed at fostering diversity and inclusion at Nestlé,” said David Moloto, Nestlé Regional Human Resources Director Middle East and North Africa.

“Supporting the healthy development of infants has been a core value of our company since our founding, and our new parental support policy is an important part of our efforts to provide children with the best start in life, by allowing parents to spend more time with their new child."

The new policy sets new minimum standards but does not set limits. This means that in some countries, Nestlé may choose to offer more leave than the 18 weeks for primary caregivers and four weeks for secondary caregivers. The company applies the new policy while respecting the local laws as a minimum standard. For example, Nestlé will provide longer parental leave if local laws require it.

In addition to the new arrangements, the flexible parental support policy reinforces employment protection, non-discrimination, health protection, the availability of flexible working options, as well as breastfeeding support.

Long-standing policies at Nestlé in the region already include flexible working arrangements and guaranteed access to breastfeeding rooms during working hours in all offices and sites, including factories, equipped to ensure the comfortable expressing of milk, storage, and hygiene. 

Gender Balance at Nestlé, one of the key pillars in the company’s Diversity and Inclusion initiatives, shuns quotas in favor of a system that hones talents and creates favorable conditions to ensure all employees have equal opportunities to evolve their careers within the company.

The number of women in management at Nestlé in the Middle East and North Africa has doubled to nearly 30% from 16% back in 2011, as the company continues to move forward with its commitment to Enhance Gender Balance at all its offices around the region, through annual increases in the percentage of women managers and senior leaders.