Henkel Promotes Inclusivity with Gender-Neutral Parental Leave Policy Worldwide

Henkel implements a new gender-neutral parental leave standard.

(IN BRIEF) Henkel, a global company, is introducing a pioneering gender-neutral parental leave policy for its 50,000 employees worldwide, starting in 2024. This new initiative offers up to eight weeks of fully paid parental leave based on the caregiver’s role rather than gender or biological parent status. The goal is to promote inclusivity, enabling all parents, including adoptive, foster, surrogacy, and LGBTQ+ parents, to equally participate in childcare. This global standard complements existing local practices, promoting family-friendliness and gender equity, especially in regions with limited parental leave options. Henkel’s move addresses the exclusion of specific family types and aims to provide equal opportunities to employees in around 80 countries.

(PRESS RELEASE)  DÜSSELDORF, 17-Jan-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Henkel (ETR: HEN3), a German chemical and consumer goods company as well as a global leader in sustainability, is proud to announce the introduction of a groundbreaking gender-neutral parental leave policy for its 50,000 employees worldwide, commencing in 2024. This progressive initiative offers up to eight weeks of fully paid parental leave, focusing on the caregiver role rather than gender or biological parent status. Henkel’s commitment to fostering inclusivity extends to all parents, encompassing adoptive, foster, surrogacy, and LGBTQ+ parents.

Carsten Knobel, CEO of Henkel, emphasized, “Henkel will become the first German DAX40 company to offer its employees worldwide eight weeks of fully paid parental leave. This initiative sends a strong signal to all our employees and underscores our unwavering commitment to fostering a more inclusive culture and more gender equity.”

Sylvie Nicol, Executive Vice President Human Resources, Infrastructure, and Sustainability, added, “Through this initiative, we want to support parents and challenge traditional gender roles, enabling everyone to participate equally in childcare. However, addressing this inequality is not the sole objective of our new global standard. It also positions us to meet the expectations of the future workforce.”

This global standard sets a benchmark that complements local practices and regulations, acting as a vital foundation for promoting family-friendly workplaces and greater gender equity, especially in regions with limited parental leave opportunities. Henkel’s initiative addresses the exclusion of specific family types, ensuring that single fathers, adoptive parents, and surrogacy parents are not left behind. With its implementation in 2024, Henkel employees across approximately 80 countries will have access to paid leave to nurture and bond with their new child. This bold move underscores Henkel’s dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion, manifesting a commitment to providing equal opportunities worldwide.

Media contacts:

Ricarda Albaum
Henkel
Corporate Media Relations
Headquarters, Düsseldorf/Germany
+49-211-797-9982
press@henkel.com

Hanna Philipps
Henkel
Corporate Media Relations
Headquarters, Düsseldorf/Germany
+49-211-797-3626
press@henkel.com

SOURCE: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA