Standard Chartered rolls out enhanced paternity, adoption leave benefits

Standard Chartered has announced enhanced paternity and adoption leave benefits, according to a company statement issued today.

From 1 September 2023, the bank will enhance the paternity and adoption leave it offers to employees, providing parents the option of undertaking more equitable caregiving responsibilities for their children.


Employees can now avail up to 20 weeks of paid paternity and adoption leave, irrespective of gender, relationship status or how a child comes to permanently join an employee’s family.

The enhanced benefits have been designed to support working parents. This is part of the bank’s commitment to foster an inclusive culture, where employees are supported in balancing their personal lives with building successful careers.

For India, maternity benefits will continue to be at 26 weeks in line with the statutory requirements.

“We continuously look at how we can introduce progressive benefits that drive inclusion, improve the employee experience, and help colleagues achieve their potential. We believe benefits such as this help address globally prevalent societal norms around traditional roles, improve workforce participation and provide options to those who want to take up shared childcare responsibilities," said Tanuj Kapilashrami, group head of human resources, Standard Chartered.

“We are committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive workplace, and the enhanced benefits are aimed at supporting our colleagues to experience the joy of parenting and spending time with their new child when they need it the most. People practices which support evolving needs of our diverse workforce has been at the heart of our employee experience and well-being," said Shivshanker SV, India and south Asia head, human resources, Standard Chartered.