Eternal, the parent company of Zomato and Blinkit, has introduced a new 26-week plan that can be used flexibly over a period of 3 years.
The new parental leave policy supports all types of parents – birthing, non-birthing, adoptive, and those welcoming children through surrogacy. The policy is gender-neutral and allows new parents to stagger their leaves instead of taking them all at once.
“This new policy reflects not just our evolving understanding of modern parenthood, but also our commitment to creating an environment where every individual feels seen, supported, and empowered to thrive, both at work and at home,” said Eternal Vice President – HR, Niharika Mohanty.
In order to create the new policy, Eternal conducted extensive consultation with parents in its team, which allowed them to realise that the need for parental leave extends beyond the period after the birth.
“Research shows that about 75% of working parents report feeling torn between career responsibilities and family moments throughout their child’s first three years and not just the initial months,” Eternal shared in its statement.
The flexible parental leave policy is part of Eternal’s broader parental support infrastructure. Apart from the 26 weeks of leave, Eternal is also offering day-one newborn insurance coverage that will be seamlessly integrated with the company’s group health policy. The company will also provide on-site childcare for its Gurgaon and Bangalore offices and is partnering with daycares nationwide across 11 major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, and Pune.
Additionally, Eternal is offering fertility and family planning support, including egg freezing coverage and infertility treatment benefits, as a part of its offerings to its parent community. The company is also providing access to an in-house wellness team and a dedicated dietitian, with holistic support for both physical and mental health.
