Union Bank offers staff five-month maternity leave, crèche facility

Union Bank provides full-time male and female employees who are working parents with a five-month maternity leave and an on-site childcare facility.

In Nigeria, new mothers are legally entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave under Section 54 of the Labour Act.

According to Union Bank's announcement, the prolonged leave and the option to take annual leave would support SDG 3: good health and well-being by providing new moms with more time to recuperate and form bonds with their infants.

It stated that for the first month, returning moms would benefit from a one-hour late start, which would facilitate their return to work and guarantee a more seamless work-life balance.

Omayuli Wale-Ajayi, Chief Talent Officer, discussed the development, saying, "At Union Bank, we are proud to set a new standard in the banking sector with comprehensive maternity leave for working mothers and crèche facilities for the babies of both male and female full-time employees.
These programs are essential in helping working mothers manage their personal and professional lives, and we are dedicated to fostering an environment where women can flourish. We hope to retain and empower top talent by offering easy childcare options and five months of fully paid maternity leave, ensuring that every employee can contribute to the bank's success.

It stated that the on-site childcare centre will help working parents even more, and that a head office pilot program would begin in December 2024.

"The crèche will offer family-friendly amenities and lactation rooms, making it a convenient childcare option, especially for working mothers."

By empowering women to manage their childcare requirements and professional obligations, this program advances SDG 5: Gender Equality and helps retain top female talent and fostering an inclusive work environment,” the lender stated.
According to study, attaining gender parity in the workforce may boost global GDP by 26%. Union Bank said that by encouraging gender diversity, it was fostering wider economic growth.

"Union Bank is taking important steps to strengthen its position as a forward-thinking employer in the financial sector with these innovative policies," the statement continued.