Turn over a new leave!

Motherhood is a truly special experience and organisations are waking up to the need of providing necessary support as well as medical benefits to their female employees. As more and more women join the workforce, such benefits are but a step to ensure that an employee does not have to sacrifice her career to fulfil her role as a mother. It is only fair that while she is involved in the wondrous act of creating and bringing new life into this world, she is not only cared for, but is also made to feel special. A new mother’s body takes time to heal from the birthing experience. Besides, her baby depends on her for food, comfort and care. It is natural for the overwhelming excitement and responsibilities to override all other priorities. And for that, women should neither have to resign from their job nor should they have to be without pay for taking leave. The law gives every right to a woman to go on maternity leave without getting her salary deducted.

THE RULEBOOK

There are laws put into place to enforce rest and care for mums-to-be and mums, especially if they are working. This law, in our country, is referred to as the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. It was passed by the Central Government in 1961 and pertains to the whole of India. It is applicable to every institution