Eternal, the parent company of Zomato, has further strengthened its parental leave policy by introducing a new structure that allows team members to take their 26 weeks of leave flexibly over three years, instead of all at once. This inclusive policy supports all parents - birthing, non-birthing, adoptive, and those welcoming children through surrogacy - regardless of gender. By moving away from the traditional consecutive-leave model, it gives parents the freedom to be present for the moments that matter most throughout their child’s early years.
Now, parents can take leave anytime over three years, with the added benefit of using up to one month before their child's birth during the six months leading up to delivery.
Commenting on this, Niharika Mohanty, Vice President - HR, Eternal, said, “At Eternal, we believe that supporting our employees through life’s most meaningful moments is fundamental to building a truly inclusive workplace. This new policy reflects not just our evolving understanding of modern parenthood, but also our commitment to creating an environment where every individual feels seen, supported, and empowered to thrive, both at work and at home.”
The policy change comes after extensive consultation with Eternal's parent community, revealing that family needs extend far beyond the immediate post-birth period. Research shows that ~ 75% of working parents report feeling torn between career responsibilities and family moments throughout their child's first three years and not just the initial months.
The flexible leave policy is part of Eternal's broader parental support infrastructure, which includes:
- Day-one newborn insurance coverage through seamless integration with the company's group health policy
- On-site childcare is available at Eternal’s Gurgaon and Bangalore offices, along with nationwide daycare partnerships across 11 major cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, and Pune
- Gender-inclusive coverage supporting birthing parents, non-birthing parents, adoptive families, and surrogacy journey
- Fertility and family planning support including egg freezing coverage and infertility treatment benefits
- Access to an in-house wellness team and a dedicated dietitian, with holistic support for both physical and mental health. Eligible team members can also avail up to 10 days of period leave each year
- Work arrangements tailored on a case-by-case basis to support individual needs