What Is the Difference Between Maternity and Paternity Care

Maternity and paternity leave allows parents to take care of their newborn, but they are both different employee entitlements. In this section, let us discuss in detail maternity vs. paternity leave length, meaning, law and more.

-Understanding Maternity Leave Meaning

Maternity leave is for biological mothers where they can take time off from work because she is just about to give birth. Furthermore, it is also applicable for women to cope with the post-pregnancy stages, such as taking care of a baby or recuperating after the birth.

The maternity leave benefit is provided under the Maternity Amendment Act of India, which ensures that women employees are provided with paid leave during pregnancy and the weeks following delivery.

-Features of Maternity Amendment Act

• To claim maternity leave benefits, women must be employed for at least 80 days within the previous year.

• Under the Maternity Amendment Act, the duration of leave has been increased from 12 weeks to 26 weeks.

• Under this act, women who have adopted a child can also claim 12 weeks maternity leave if the child is below 3 weeks.

• Furthermore, women who are trying surrogacy can take up to 12 weeks of maternity leave.

• Women can also claim benefits from working from home based on the nature of their work.

• If the company has more than 50 employees, then the employer can also provide creche facilities for the women.

• Under this law, women who underwent miscarriage or tubectomy will also get the same benefit.

-Understanding Paternal Leave Meaning

Paternity leave is when a father takes time off to support their partner and bond with their newborn. In simple words, it is a leave taken by the father after the birth of their newborn child.

This leave is different from maternity leave in terms of the time the father can take off from work. In 1999, the Central Government in India made the provision for parental leave under the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rule 551 (A).

• Under this bill, all government employees have the right to claim paternity leave. However, private companies have a different set of rules around paternity leave benefits.

-Features of Paternity Benefit Bill

• Under this act, government employees, which include probationers and apprentices, can claim paternity leave for 15 days.

• Men employees are allowed to take paternity leave of 15 days before or within 6 months of the delivery.

• The leave is also applicable if the employee adopts the child.

Let us understand maternity vs paternity leave based on various factors.

Taking maternity and paternity leave provides a range of physical, emotional and social benefits for both parents and the child. These benefits are not only important for the well-being of the parents but also for fostering healthy family dynamics. Below are the benefits of maternity and paternity leave:

-Benefits of Maternity Leaves

• One crucial benefit of taking maternity leave for female employees is that they will get the time to recover from childbirth, including healing from any health complications and restoring their energy.

• Maternity leave helps reduce stress and promotes the mental well-being of female employees.

• It allows female employees time to bond and connect with their children, which is good for their emotional development.

• Maternity leave reduces the chances of postpartum depression as it allows women time to reflect and rest.

• It also gives women space to adjust or accommodate breastfeeding, which is crucial for the baby’s health and development.

-Benefits of Paternity Leaves

• One significant benefit of paternity leave is that it allows fathers to connect with their new babies and help mothers with physical tasks.

• It also offers fathers time to develop early attachments with their newborn child, which is crucial for child development and relationships.

• When fathers take leave, it fosters a culture of equality and support in the workplace, which can lead to greater employee satisfaction and retention.

• Another benefit of paternity leave is that it helps challenge traditional gender norms and supports the idea that both parents play an important role in caregiving.

When requesting maternity or paternity leave from your employer, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of your company's leave policies and legal entitlements. Take the time to review the organisation's maternity or paternity leave guidelines, including the duration of leave, whether it is paid or unpaid and the process for submitting a leave request.

This preparation will ensure a smooth and stress-free leave application process. After knowing this, you need to send an email giving advance notice about the leave, specifying the leave dates and when you will return to the office.

Employees are crucial to any successful organisation, and recognising their value is key to fostering a productive and engaged workforce. One of the ways many organisations support their employees is by offering valuable perks like maternity and paternity leave. These benefits allow new parents to balance their personal and professional lives during one of the most important transitions they will experience

In addition to supporting employees through leave policies, organisations should also consider protecting their financial assets and workforce with business insurance. One crucial coverage is group medical insurance policy, which provides employees with standardised medical benefits, including doctor visits, hospitalisation and more. Offering group health insurance not only helps attract and retain top talent but also demonstrates an employer's commitment to the health and welfare of their team.

TATA AIG offers group health insurance plans designed to safeguard both your business and your employees. Our group health insurance plan provides extensive coverage with no requirement for medical examinations, making it easy for you to secure the well-being of your workforce.

Depending on your chosen policy terms and conditions, our plan can also include maternity coverage, offering added protection for new parents. Furthermore, our group health insurance covers pre-existing conditions from day one. Secure your employee's health with our affordable and customisable group health insurance plan.

Are there any private companies in India that offer paternity leave?

Yes, several private companies in India offer paternity leave, although the duration and benefits can vary. Companies like Google India, Microsoft India, Netflix and Mahindra & Mahindra provide paid paternity leave ranging from a few days to a few weeks to support new fathers in balancing family responsibilities.

Can maternity leaves be extended?

In India, maternity leave is legally mandated for up to 26 weeks under the Maternity Benefit Act of 1961 for the first two children and 12 weeks for subsequent children. However, depending on the organisation's policies, companies may allow an extension of maternity leave, either as unpaid leave or under special circumstances.

Why does maternity vs paternity leave length differ?

The length of maternity leave is generally longer than paternity leave because mothers require more time for physical recovery after childbirth, breastfeeding and bonding with the newborn, while paternity leave typically focuses on supporting the mother and bonding, which often requires relatively less time.