Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Jun 21: A Bengaluru-based company has set an example, by announcing one month of paid paternity leave for new dads to ensure they can equally share the responsibility of parenting early in the child’s life.

Bengaluru-based Duroflex Mattresses MD Mathew Chandy says he was brainstorming with his team on what would be the perfect gift for moms on Mother’s Day. The company that makes mattresses felt that even though they can provide the most comfortable bedding, getting mothers to take adequate rest and ensure they get good sleep proved to be a major challenge.

They felt that mothers are sleep deprived, and new mothers don’t have adequate support from spouses with the limited paternity leave. Hence, the company started the equal parenting campaign. They also came across a petition on change.org asking the government of India to pass a law mandating compulsory two months of paid paternity leave to all new fathers.

Chandy says that he decided to lead the way with his company and hence on Father’s Day on June 17, announced a month of paid paternity leave for all his employees. He plans to eventually increase the duration to two months.

Chandy is positive that the initiative will increase the happiness quotient of their employees. He further adds that the decision was taken after a lot of thought and analysis on productivity and impact.

The new dads will get the much required time to connect with their newborns and help their spouse in the parenting responsibilities, he says, and hopes other companies also understand the importance of equal parenting and follow the lead.