Because Men Can Mother: Male Staff Under Maharashtra Government To Get Childcare Leaves If Spouse Bedridden

Male employees of Maharashtra government will be eligible for childcare leaves if their wives are bedridden or incapacitated due to mental health problems for up to 180 days in a year (in three spells), The Hindu has reported. The government had issued directions to make provision for childcare leaves for male employees earlier in July.

The government resolution on 15 December has made provisions for childcare leave for a period equivalent to the number of days when the spouse of the male employee is bedridden. Officers on probation will not be eligible for the leave. However, these employees can also be given leaves in case of emergencies and the period of probation will be extended accordingly.

The childcare leave cannot be taken as a right of the employee but can be availed only after sanctioning from the authority. It can be linked to paternity leave as well.

Teaching and non-teaching staff of Zilla parishads, government school employees, teaching and non-teaching staff of agriculture and non-agriculture universities will come under the purview of the Maharashtra government’s notification on childcare leave.