Childcare leave is usually associated with mothers in the workforce but in a profound step taken by Deutsche bank, even Dads now have the option to take childcare leave. After January 1st, the bank will offer a maternity leave of the same time period i.e. 6 months if in case they are the primary caretakers of the house.

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The internal note circulated among the Deutsche Bank employees stated- "The new parental leave policy centers on the caregiver's responsibility, rather than tie parental leave to gender, and replaces what was previously called maternity/paternity leave. It also covers surrogacy and adoption and aligns it with parental leave entitlements. Deutsche Bank employees who are new parents can choose to either be the primary caregiver or the non-primary caregiver within the duration of the parental leave." 

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It is assumed by default that woman are always the primary caretakers of the house and so most work places ignore the fact that we live in a progressive society and now even men are partaking in childcare responsibilities. 

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Madhavi Lall, head, human resources, Deutsche Bank India, said: "The new policy will fight several unconscious biases that are prevalent in society. If a male employee happens to be the primary caregiver, he can now give a self-declaration and avail up to six months of parental leave. If an employee's wife is required to return to work in three months after childbirth and the husband (a DB employee) becomes the primary caregiver for the child, he can avail of the new parental leave benefits."

Looks like we’re truly moving forward as a society.