Parental leave: raising the bar for gender equity and inclusion
Since January 1, 2021, all Syensqo employees who become new parents have been entitled to 16 weeks of paid parental leave, whether they are the child’s mother, father, stepparent or adopter, and regardless of the country they live in. This global policy guarantees Syensqo employees a level of support for new parents that is still not common in many parts of the world.
The policy is part of the extended Syensqo Cares benefits package, which applies to all 13,000 Group employees and also includes medical care, disability coverage and life insurance. Through initiatives like this, we aim to provide a better life for Syensqo employees, supporting both personal well-being and long-term engagement.
When it was introduced in 2021, this parental leave policy raised the bar for equity at Syensqo substantially, helping to promote diversity, inclusion and balance between work and personal life. What’s more, it has helped to ensure a consistent level of benefits at Syensqo worldwide.
Making life easier for families across regions
“When I first told my wife that my paternity leave was extended by two months, she thought I was joking,” says Peihan Shi, PVDF Shift Leader at Syensqo’s Specialty Polymers site in Changshu, near Shanghai, whose first son was born in early 2021. “All of my friends and relatives were surprised too.”
Peihan used his time off to take care of household tasks while his wife focused on their baby. He admits he was initially concerned about being away from work for such a long period, “but my managers and my team have been very supportive. I’m really grateful to all of them.”
Technical Service Representative Ruzi Zhang, who works in China’s Shandong province, also describes strong support from his managers and colleagues when he decided to take two months off following the birth of his second child in July 2021.
“I’m a salesperson and I travel almost every week; sometimes I’m only home for the weekends. I’m quite ashamed that my wife had to shoulder most of the responsibilities of raising our first son, so the extended paternity leave will be hugely helpful. We’re proud to be part of this big, thoughtful family that is Syensqo.”
Improving well-being, bonding and work-life balance
In Brazil, João Pancotto, an Account Manager for Latin America, was among the first Syensqo employees in the country to benefit from the new parental policy. “I’m thankful for the greater comfort and security it provided to experience this moment of immense joy,” he says.
Another Brazilian colleague opted for a 60-day paternity leave through Syensqo Cares, remarking that it was a significant improvement compared with the five days he received for the birth of his first son in 2016.
Beyond practical support, parental leave also plays a key role in building a strong bond between parents and children in the first weeks of life, while providing emotional support for the mother. This is highlighted by Bright Kusema, an R&I engineer, whose second child was born in early 2021.
“My wife and I were both foreigners in China at the time. Due to travel restrictions caused by the pandemic, our parents couldn’t come to support us. Taking the 16-week paternity leave was certainly very helpful to reduce the burden on my wife, but it was also about being present and participating during this challenging period. Family is a fundamental aspect of our lives and paternity leave reinforces our bonding.”
