My story is quite unique because I had to avail the maternity benefits at Aditya Birla Capital during the turbulence of the lockdown. From the nitty-gritty of the policy itself, to the outpouring of support and understanding I received from my manager and team, the whole experience made ABC feel more like home than ever before.

As a framework, I believe the maternity benefits here are very comprehensive and robustly structured, taking into consideration multiple situations that an expecting parent might face. Whether it was time-off for appointments or a flexible work schedule, I received all the help I needed throughout. The policy is built with a lot of thought, covering all the key phases of the maternity period. For instance, mothers can take around eight weeks of time-off prior to the delivery, simply because there is flexibility to split leaves before and after the baby arrives.

My experience coming back to work was also extremely welcoming and reassuring. The flexi-hours really helped me structure my days to ensure that I was able to work to the best of my ability while also taking care of and spending time with my child. And it's not just the hours, but also the option to work from home or from a satellite office closer to where you live. The childcare leave is another huge blessing for parents, and so is the fact that everyone in the organisation has access to online medical consultations. We also have a transition coach who hand-holds new mothers right from the third trimester up until the child is one year old. So, there's a sense of security and assurance that an expert is there to guide you through even the most overwhelming phases of early motherhood. Every little aspect has been considered, and it's so heartening to be in an inclusive organisation that takes care of young mothers like me.

All in all, what matters just as much as the ABC Maternity Policy is the fact that there is such warmth, sensitivity and goodwill amongst everyone here, right from our leaders to our peers. That makes a world of difference, and I'd say I'm really fortunate to have had such an enriching experience as a new parent.