Last year, AstraZeneca introduced equal parental leave. Fathers/secondary caregivers can now take 16 weeks parental leave, like mothers/primary caregivers, instead of the previous two. This policy also applies to adoptions. By introducing this policy, the company is promoting equal treatment for all, underlining its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
AstraZeneca introduced equal parental leave in July 2023. By doing so, AstraZeneca continues to promote the equal treatment of men and women, by giving both parents the opportunity to take time off to look after their child. “As well as promoting equal opportunities for all, we’re also reinforcing job satisfaction among our employees. We are confident that this initiative will help build an integrative and productive workplace”, says Katrin Lipp, Human Resources Director, AstraZeneca Switzerland.
A positive experience for everyone involved
AstraZeneca's new parental leave policy has been very well received by all those who have taken advantage of it. Initial feedback from the individual teams has been extremely positive. “This opportunity allowed me to concentrate 100 percent on my role as a father and to support my family in every respect. My deputy at the company was prepared and well organised. My employees assumed more responsibility during that time, which will benefit them hugely going forward with the company. As for me, I returned to the office with a fresh set of eyes”, says Diederik Eisvogel, Business Unit Director Respiratory & Immunology, AstraZeneca Switzerland.
Promoting equality benefits the overall economy
AstraZeneca is convinced that improving the balance between work and family life also benefits the overall economy; women in particular are encouraged to remain part of the workforce. “I believe it's extremely valuable to society for fathers to be able to take such a long period of parental leave. During that time, my wife can keep working and make progress in her career, while I offer my own contribution to increasing gender equality”, says Daniel Feltrin, Brand Lead Oncology – Haematology, AstraZeneca Switzerland.
Parental leave itself helps challenge the current social norms and expectations surrounding childcare which, ultimately, will lead to a more integrative and progressive society. Not only the families, but society as a whole benefits from equal parental leave. To that end, AstraZeneca plans to continue to promote gender equality and parental leave.
Media contact
Tel. +41 (0) 41 725 75 75; media.switzerland@astrazeneca.com
Christian Bitschnau, Corporate Affairs Director, AstraZeneca Switzerland
AstraZeneca in Switzerland
AstraZeneca is a British pharmaceutical company that has been operating in Switzerland for almost 50 years. The company is one of the highest revenue pharmaceutical companies in Switzerland and operates in the following therapeutic areas: oncology, respiratory diseases and immunology, cardiovascular, renal and metabolic disorders plus vaccines and immunotherapies, which also includes medicines for the control of COVID-19. The primary aim of the over 285 employees is to make new medicines available to affected patients as quickly as possible. In Switzerland, more than 230,000 people are treated with a drug from AstraZeneca. The company expects over 35 new therapies to be authorised by 2026. AstraZeneca has set itself the target of making the Swiss healthcare system more sustainable and more resilient. To make its contribution to a healthy planet and healthy people, the company is working tirelessly to reduce its CO2 emissions and waste. It has therefore set itself the target of becoming CO2-negative by 2030.
Further information about AstraZeneca Switzerland: www.astrazeneca.ch