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Posted by Courtney Hadden |

As part of the Global Benefits team, Courtney's focus is the physical, emotional, social and financial well-being and overall quality of life of Criteos and their families. She talks about some recent benefit adds – and the challenges of applying them globally.

What should we know about the new paid parental leave policy?

The new policy sets a minimum standard in all countries of 4 calendar weeks paid leave to each cohabitating partner of the mother, spouse or civil partner. This extends a policy adopted last year in EMEA worldwide and harmonizes approaches that had varied widely between countries.

It’s designed to be fully inclusive for all employees, regardless of gender or family ties with the child. In fact, in recognition of the diverse relationships in families today and the importance of this time for both primary and secondary caregivers, we no longer call it “parental leave” but rather refer to it as “child bonding leave.”

So, does that mean the policy is identical in all countries?

It’s more complicated than that. In certain countries, the new policy doesn’t change anything because they already offered 4 weeks or more of paid leave. The change is greatest in countries where paid leave for caregiver-allies is less culturally common. There may also be a universal effect of increasing empathy on the part of all of us toward families with infant children.

Is that unusual for benefits to vary?

Reconciling differences across borders is something that confronts all international companies. Meal vouchers are one example of a benefit offered to employees in only some countries.

Another is the family planning benefit we’ve just instituted in the U.S. It responds to interest expressed by our team members and is a benefit that has started to be offered by other tech companies.

What does it entail?

Employees have access to a range of resources, again with the intention of being as inclusive as possible. The benefit offers support to employee’s exploring fertility, adoption or surrogacy, including medical and psychological services, clinics, egg/sperm freezing and many other resources.

Can you talk about the employee assistance work life program?

This is another program we’ve extended globally this year. It had existed in a couple of countries but the shift last year to Work From Home showed there was a growing need for emotional wellness support. At the heart of the program are counseling services to support employees facing all kinds of challenges.

Such as?

It’s designed to respond to each whole person’s individual work-life needs. From parenting to couples’ relationships to caring for elderly loved ones to coping with stress as a manager to accessing legal resources…and more!

And, it can be accessed in person or by using an app, with self-guided steps that can lead to online wellness coaches or to other Employee Assistance Program resources. I used the app the other day to request a referral for a painter. I had no idea even where to begin!

Courtney Hadden

Global Benefits Senior Manager

The Future is Yours.

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