Nestle announces slew of new gender inclusive measures

NEW DELHI: Foods maker Nestle on Monday announced a series of steps aimed at what it said was creating a gender inclusive culture. The measures include increasing maternity leave from 18 to 24 weeks, providing women in the field force opportunity to experience work culture, before accepting employment with an option to work for a day and giving impetus to increasing women workforce both through campus recruitment as well as mid-career hires.

Nestle chairman and managing director Suresh Narayanan said: "One of the key socio-economic opportunities of the 21st century is the increasing role, involvement and contribution of women to the fabric of economic progress that is transforming the world."

The maternity leave policy has been extended to six months starting February 1, 2016. It has also announced adoption leave for six weeks with full pay and benefits for all permanent women employees. A paternity policy introduced with leave of five working days with pay and benefits has been extended to all permanent male employees including blue collar ones.

Within the field force, women workforce will be given the chance to work with a nutrition/sales officer for a day to understand the challenges in the role, before joining the company. Flexibility has been provided with regards to travel and stay for women in the field force, the maker of Maggi noodles and Nescafe coffee said.