We, Hashtag Loyalty Private Limited (“Company” or “Thrive”) encourage our female employees to avail of the benefits that they’re entitled to under the Maternity Benefits Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as the “Act”). This maternity benefits policy (“Policy”) has been prepared keeping in mind the provisions of the Act, in order to ensure the well-being of Thrive’s female employees.
As per the Act, women employees are eligible for leave for a maximum period of 26 weeks (182 days) at a stretch, of which not more than 8 weeks (56 days) can precede the expected date of their delivery (“Maternity Leave Period”).
The payment with respect to the maternity benefits shall be at the rate prescribed under the Act for the period of such female employee’s actual absence, that is to say, the period immediately preceding the day of her delivery, the actual day of her delivery and any period immediately following that day.
A pre-condition for such female employee to be eligible for maternity benefit leaves (in accordance with the Act) is that the concerned employee should have completed at least 80 days of service at Thrive, in the 12 months immediately preceding the date of her expected delivery. Thrive shall ensure that no female employee will be made to work during the 6 weeks immediately following the day of her delivery, miscarriage or medical termination of pregnancy.
Additionally, in the event a pregnant female employee reaches out to Thrive during the Prescribed Period (defined below) stating that her work is likely to: (i) interfere with her pregnancy; or (ii) the normal development of her foetus; or (iii) cause miscarriage; or (iv) adversely affect her health, Thrive will ensure that such work is not assigned to such female employee.
“Prescribed Period” shall mean (a) the period of 1 month immediately preceding the period of 6 weeks, before the date of her expected delivery; (b) any period during the said period of 6 weeks for which the pregnant woman does not avail of leave of absence under section 6 of the Act.
A female employee eligible to receive maternity benefit under this Policy may send a notice at [email protected], stating that her maternity benefit and any other amount to which she may be entitled to under this Policy, may be paid to her or to such person as she may nominate in the notice and that she will not work in any establishment during the period for which she receives maternity benefit (“Maternity Benefits Notice”).
In the case such notice is from a pregnant female employee, it shall state the date from which she will be absent from work, which shall not be a date earlier than 6 weeks from the date of her expected delivery.
Upon receipt of the notice, Thrive shall permit such woman to absent herself such maternity benefit period.
The amount of maternity benefit for the period preceding the date of such female employee’s expected delivery shall be paid in advance on production of proof that the she is pregnant, and the amount due for the subsequent period shall be paid within 48 hours of production of such proof that the employee has delivered a child.
The failure of a female employee to give a notice shall not disentitle her from receiving maternity benefits.
In case of female employees having 2 or more surviving children: They shall be entitled to maternity leave of not more than 12 weeks (84 days) at a stretch, of which not more than 6 weeks can precede the expected date of delivery.
In case of death of a female employee during the Maternity Leave Period: The maternity benefit shall be payable only for the days up to and including the day of her death. In case of death, the maternity benefit shall be paid to the person nominated by the employee in the Maternity Benefits Notice.
In case of death of a female employee either during or after her delivery: In case such female employee leaves behind a child, Thrive shall pay maternity benefit for the entire Maternity Leave Period. However, if the child also dies during the said period, then, Thrive shall pay maternity benefit for the days up to and including the date of the death of the child.
In case of miscarriage/ pre-mature delivery/ medical termination of pregnancy: The female employee can avail up to 6 weeks of maternity benefits immediately following her miscarriage or medical termination of pregnancy. Applications for maternity leave of this nature should be supported with proper medical certificate.