Macau casino concessionaire Sands China Ltd has announced longer paid leave for new mothers that are counted as eligible employees of the firm, namely extending such leave to 90 days from 70 days. The company is also extending the paid paternity leave for eligible staff to seven days, from five days.
The steps, said to reinforce the company’s commitment to a family-friendly workplace, will be in effect from March 1.
Under the updated policy, eligible female employees with at least one year of service “are entitled to 90 days of paid maternity leave, while male employees are entitled to seven days of paid paternity leave,” the casino firm said in a Thursday press release.
“The extended leave offers comprehensive care and support to team members during this important stage of family life, giving them more time to share precious moments with their loved ones,” the company added.
The announcement cited Paulo Cheong, the firm’s senior vice president of human resources, as saying: “Sands China currently employs more than 28,000 team members, and we place cultivating a family-friendly workplace culture at the heart of our company.”
“Guided by our people-centred approach, we regard every employee as a valued member of our extended family,” Mr Cheong stated. “We remain committed to promoting their physical and mental well-being, family happiness, and career development, while maintaining a sustainable and supportive work environment,” Mr Cheong added.
Sands China said that in recent years it has introduced a “range of support measures for parents that are part of their staff. That included: a childcare leave programme for staff to accompany children to medical appointments; and a parenthood support shift allowing employees to take one hour off work each day for 90 consecutive days after their child’s birth.
