The best corporate responsibility action of 2021 was taken by Solvay.
It’s not related to bioplastics but I think it’s one of the most important action that a multinational should take.
To give you an idea, I have been told that in the US, some unfortunate women have to go back to work the day after giving birth.
The rule should be: what is the best maternity package available worldwide within your company? It’s probably in Belgium or in Scandinavia.
Well, you should extend your “Belgian” or “Scandinavian” maternity leave and advantages to all your employees worldwide.
RESPECT to Solvay for this decision.
Solvay has extended its maternity, paternity & co-parent leave benefits and the new policy went into effect at the start of 2021
As a key step to strengthen gender equality, Solvay’s new policy increases maternity leave to 16 weeks.
It is now available to any co-parent regardless of gender or sexual orientation; it also includes parents who adopt.
The parent employed by Solvay will receive 100% of his or her salary during this leave period.
“To help women to get to the top, let’s give their spouses the opportunity to help them during one of the key steps in a family life. Thanks to our constructive social dialogue, we’re bringing the company into the front line in terms of inclusion, diversity and Better Life. We’re not there yet, but we’re taking big steps. This is about promoting gender diversity and a better inclusion of all parents, irrespective of gender or sexual orientation.”
Solvay CEO Ilham Kadri
“I am immensely proud of this initiative, which will do much to promote diversity, inclusion and work-in-life balance. We want Solvay to be a place where employees can bring their whole selves to work; everyone should feel they can be both a devoted parent and a valuable employee – that they can balance their work and their family commitments. We truly believe that positively impacting employees lives will help them be ‘at their best.’”
Hervé Tiberghien Solvay’s Chief People Officer
This new policy is part of the Solvay Cares benefit program, which exists within the Better Life pillar of Solvay’s ONE Planet roadmap.
Solvay Cares provides a safety net with a minimum level of company social benefits that cover major healthcare costs, disability leave, maternity leave, paternal leave, adoption leave and life insurance.
The Solvay Cares benefits in many cases surpass the level of benefits already in place in many countries.