1. 1. Objective

      The objective of this Maternity Benefit Policy is to define the Maternity benefit entitlements, for woman employees, working with the Company during their pregnancy and to provide them the necessary support for certain periods, before and after childbirth.

   2. Applicability
      1. Maternity benefits under the policy are applicable to all woman employees on the rolls of the Company during their pregnancy and who have worked with the Company for a period not less than eighty (80) days in twelve (12) months immediately preceding the expected date of her delivery.
      2. The woman employee will be eligible for leave on account of maternity (“Maternity Leave”) in accordance with the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 (“Act”).
      3. A total of twenty six (26) weeks of paid leave can be availed at the time of child birth under the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017, of which not more than 8 weeks shall precede the date of the expected delivery. However, it can also be availed at a stretch of twenty six (26) weeks after child birth.
      4. Woman employee having more than two children can also avail the same benefit as mentioned under clause 1.2.3.
      5. Incase of child adoption or surrogacy, a woman employee who adopts a child below the age of three (3) months or a commissioning mother, shall be entitled to twelve (12) weeks of maternity leave from the date the child is handed over to the adoptive mother or commissioning mother, subject to verification of full proof of legal adoption.
      6. A woman employee can utilize all her Sick Leave / Casual Leave & Privilege Leave, that she has accrued till the end of the month (in which she proceeds on leave), along with the Maternity leave.
      7. Further in cases of miscarriage or medical termination of pregnancy, a woman employee shall, on production of such proof as may be prescribed, be entitled to paid maternity leave for a period of six (6) weeks immediately following the day of her miscarriage or medical termination of pregnancy.
      8. In-case of Tubectomy operation, an employee shall, on production of such proof as may be prescribed, be entitled to paid maternity leave for a period of two (2) weeks immediately following the day of her Tubectomy operation.

Note

1. Any deviation from the above policy shall require the prior approval of VP – HR;
2. Company reserves the right to modify this Policy without prior notice;
3. Any interpretations/clarifications to the Maternity Leave Policy will be issued by the VP – HR.