May others follow suit with paternity leave

THE EDITOR, Sir:

The Human Resource Management Association of Jamaica (HRMAJ) has welcomed the announcement by telecommunications company FLOW that effective June 1, they have implemented a policy that will see fathers now being entitled to paternity leave.

This is definitely a step in the right direction, and FLOW must be commended for joining a number of other HRMAJ members and other companies in implementing a similar policy.

The HRMAJ has also commended the trade union movement for their passion in making this an agenda item.

We continue to encourage more companies to follow suit and look at enhancing their parental policy, which the association says can only improve overall engagement and productivity of the workforce.

The HR Association noted that the environment in which we operate in is ever changing and the dynamics of the family structure and the need for work-life balance should form an important part of the discussion when looking at revisions for a parental policy in the workplace.

In addition to the call for companies to look into the revision of its parental policies, HRMAJ is once again calling for a National Policy on paternal leave, which will provide a legislative framework that will influence the policies developed by companies.

KARL WILLIAMS

President, HRMAJ