Parents will also be able to work part-time for up to 36 months.
Technology company Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) this week introduced 26-week paid parental leave for employees who have been with the company for at least one year. Meanwhile, HPE has also implemented parental transition support, which is a flexible work arrangement policy that offers new parents the opportunity to work part-time for up to 36 months after the birth or adoption of a child.
In a recently released statement, Managing Director President Ntuli said: “HPE employees in South Africa are now benefiting from the introduction of 26 weeks of paid leave for new parents—both mothers and fathers—as well as parental transition support, retirement transition support and wellness Fridays."
“We are very proud to be rolling out this global initiative for our employees. By investing in our highly skilled and motivated workforce, we will cement HPE’s position as an employer of choice globally and here in South Africa.”
The 26 weeks of paid leave must also be taken within the first 12 months after the birth or adoption of a child, said the company.
Additionally, employees are encouraged to take “wellness Fridays”, which allows them to leave the office three hours early one Friday each month to volunteer, focus on physical or emotional health, or spend time on personal or career development.
HPE said this was part of the rollout of a number of new employee programmes to enrich personal wellbeing and work/life balance.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s new parental leave law - which entitles fathers, adopting parents, and surrogates are entitled to 10 days paid parental leave - took effect on 1 January 2020, all parents – including. Mothers who give birth remain entitled to four months' paid maternity leave in terms of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA).
