Some firms offer mums more leave

At least seven companies in Singapore are offering maternity benefits beyond the 16 weeks stipulated by the authorities. PHOTO: ST FILE

At least seven companies in Singapore are offering maternity benefits beyond the 16 weeks stipulated by the authorities.

Prudential associate vice-president Christine Loo, 39, was celebrating her baby daughter's first month last November when she got an e-mail informing her that her maternity leave had been extended from four months to six.

From this month, mothers at Standard Chartered Bank can take 20 weeks off. Tower Transit, which started operations here last May, offers 26 weeks.

However, human resource experts do not expect other firms to quickly follow suit given the economic climate.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 07, 2017, with the headline Some firms offer mums more leave. Subscribe