In an initiative to bridge the gap between women on maternity leave and the workplace by keeping them informed and connected with corporate developments and team updates, Hyderabad based intent-driven customer engagement solutions company, [24]7.ai, introduced a Buddy Programme on Friday to support new mothers during their maternity leave. With International Mother’s Day coming ahead, the programme is set to ensure that women are updated on the progress and happenings of their workplace during their maternity leaves and offer psychological support to new mothers who may require professional assistance.
The Buddy Programme involves assigning a designated buddy who will serve as a point of contact between the new mother and the employer and the buddy will share organisational and team updates, as well as communicate the employee’s wellbeing and motherhood experience to the supervisor and team. Furthermore, if the employee requires any support, the buddy will connect them with the Employee Relations team. The buddy can be chosen by the employee, nominated by the supervisor, or any willing volunteer.
Additionally, the company also offers a unique initiative called “Gift of Time,” allowing employees to transfer up to 30 days of their leave to colleagues in times of need. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for women seeking an extended maternity break or time off to attend to family priorities. Additionally, the company has an adoption support policy that grants maternity leave and baby allowances to parents who choose to adopt.
Nina Nair, Senior Vice-President and HRD Head, India and Americas at [24]7.ai, emphasised the importance of supporting new mothers during their transition back to work after maternity leave. The buddy programme aims to provide the necessary resources and support to ensure a smooth journey for new mothers and further strengthen the company’s culture of a safe, inclusive, and diverse workplace.
These new programmes demonstrate how workplaces must support working mothers and foster an environment that promotes work-life balance and employees’ well-being.
