Access Bank Plc has extended approved paternity leave for its male employees.
The bank revealed this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.
It said the policy, which started in January, would foster an inclusive workplace. It is the first by a Nigerian bank.
It also said that the policy offered paid leave to all new parents at the bank, including mothers and fathers, as well as adoptive and surrogate parents.
The bank said it is a one week fully paid paternity leave.
Female employees of the bank get 12 weeks of maternity leave but the policy has been extended to include surrogacy or adoptive leave with full pay for three months for female employees.
The bank added that the policy also complimented the bank’s existing health and flexible workplace benefits, which supported work-life balance.
The statement reported Mrs. Bolaji Agbede, Head, Group Human Resources, as saying: “Studies have shown that fathers who take paternity leave are more likely to take an active role in childcare tasks and will continue to play this role long after the period of leave has ended.
“It is important for the new father to take time off as it helps all parents, regardless of family structure.
“This new policy is an evidence of the bank’s support to employees during this wonderful but challenging time in their lives”.
Agbede said a pregnant employee who had been in the bank’s employment for 12 consecutive months also had the option of six months maternity leave.
She, however, said that the option allowed such staff to be entitled to two-thirds of full month pay, while the surrogacy or adoptive leave period would be three calendar months with full pay or six calendar months leave with two-thirds of full month pay.
