In an uplifting move, food-delivery giant, Zomato has set a new benchmark by introducing paternity leave in India.

Zomato founder, Deepinder Goyal announced this move in a blog post on June 3, stating that new fathers will get 26 weeks paid leave, same as their women employees. Besides, the new parents will be given an endowment of USD 1,000 (Rs 70,000) per child, as they welcome their new baby to the world.

In a blog post, Deepinder Goyal, Founder said Zomato believed people produce their best work when their personal and professional goals meaningfully intersect and align.

Maternity leave of 26 weeks is mandatory as per Indian laws across organizations in India. However, there is no such concept for paternity leave in the country. No company in India has a similar parental leave policy for men and women.

"According to me, a lot of that imbalance at the top stems from an unequal leave policy for men and women when they welcome their children to this world," added Goyal.

As per the new policy, for women at Zomato across the world (the company has in 13 countries), they will offer 26 weeks paid leave or will abide by the government mandated policy, whichever is more. The exact same benefits will be offered to the men at the workplace.

This policy is also applicable to non-birthing parents and in cases of surrogacy, adoption, and same-sex partners. These policy changes are also applicable to even those staff who have had a child within the last six months.

Further, Goyal said a new member of the family can also be financially straining for the young family.

By Sowmya Sangam