Why parental leave matters

The case for gender-neutral parental leave is compelling. Research¹ consistently shows its benefits for families, workplaces, and society at large:

Paid parental leave gives parents the time to bond with their children during a critical stage of development. For employers, it not only translates to caring for their people, but workforce stability, attracting and retaining skilled talent and enhancing employee engagement.

Gender-neutral leave helps dismantle stereotypes about caregiving. By ensuring that parents of all genders can take paid parental leave, it promotes shared responsibility at home and inclusion in the workplace. This cultural shift not only supports gender balance in leadership but also builds a working environment where everyone feels supported and can come to work as their full selves.

ABB’s global parental leave program

ABB’s parental leave program² is one more step toward creating a workplace where our people from across our businesses and geographies can thrive. Under this program, primary caregivers across our global organization are entitled to 12 weeks of paid leave, while secondary caregivers receive four weeks of paid leave. This program applies to employees welcoming a child through birth, adoption, or surrogacy. 

The program is designed to give every parent the opportunity to spend meaningful time with their newborns or newly adopted children. It’s part of ABB’s broader Diversity and Inclusion strategy and reflects our core value of care. Importantly, the program ensures that employees returning from leave can return to their previous roles or are offered a similar position.

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Advancing inclusion and engagement

Gender-neutral parental leave program shows ABB’s dedication to its employees and their families. By prioritizing inclusion, we’re not only shaping a better workplace but also contributing to a broader societal change, ensuring that every family has the support they need to thrive.

Allowing all parents to take time off, without differentiating maternity leave or paternity leave, supports better work-life balance, leading to healthier and more engaged employees.¹

Footnotes

1. International Labour Organization (ILO): “Closing the Gender Gap in Paid Parental Leaves” as part of the Care Economy Brief series; Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD): “Paid Parental Leave: Lessons from OECD Countries and Selected U.S. States”

2.  The program is implemented on a country-by-country basis under the leadership of local management, subject to local laws and regulations, as well as any required engagement of employee representatives. In case local legislative standards are more generous than the benefits set by ABB, the local legislative standards apply.

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