Johnson and Johnson India unveils enhanced paternity leave

NEW DELHI: Johnson & Johnson India has rolled out a new global parental leave for its Indian workforce. As part of this new initiative, new and adoptive fathers will now be entitled to eight weeks of paid leave during the first year to bond with the newborn or newly adopted child, according to a release. The company has been offering up to 26 weeks of maternity leave for the last six years, it stated in a release.

“Championing work-life integration is critically important to us and to our future as a company. Enhanced benefits make us attractive towards millennials and GenZs, who are critical to our future workforce,” said Indrajeet Sengupta, Head-Human Resources, Johnson & Johnson India.

“Active fatherhood provides the love and support mothers need after birth. With the exception of breastfeeding, fathers can help relief the pressure their spouse face by helping to bath, massage and care for their babies,” said Ram Shukla, Senior Director, Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson India.

A 2013 study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that the effect in the lack of father-infant engagement tends to be stronger for boys than for girls.