Accenture in India

A Working Mother’s
guide for the Women of
Accenture in India

March 2016

Introduction
Introduction Ab out
About Policies Benefits Support Programs Appendix

CONTENT
Contents
Introduction
About the Pocket Guide
Accenture in India’s Maternity Leave Policy
1. Maternity leave policy change
2. Adoption leave
3. Miscarriage / Medical Termination of Pregnancy / Tubectomy
Mediclaim Benefits for Women on Maternity Leave
Infrastructural Support for Working Mothers
1. Workplace Facilities for Expectant Mothers
2. Workplace Facilities for New Mothers
Programs for Expectant, New and Returning Mothers
1. Maternity Counseling Helpline
2. Parenting Workshops
3. Childcare Support Program
4. Returning Mothers Program
5. Intentionality of Careers
6. Flexible Work Arrangements
7. Vaahini as a Support Platform
Appendix
1. Portal Links
2. Definitions

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2
Introduction
Accenture is deeply committed to gender diversity. The Apart from the enhanced maternity leave,
organization firmly believes that attracting, retaining Accenture in India offers many unique benefits
and promoting women is critical to its success. For to its women employees. These cover a gamut
more details on Accenture in India Gender Diversity of needs between the professional and the
Programs, please visit Inclusion & Diversity personal-sponsorship programs, staffing
(I&D) portal. programs, flexible work arrangements,
part-time work arrangement, childcare support,
Maternity is a key personal milestone for women. It
medical insurance, infrastructural support at
is a time when women need additional support in
the workplace, counseling helpline, maternity
order to balance work with increased responsibilities
coaches, and workshops on motherhood
at home. To help women navigate this critical life
and parenting.
stage, Accenture in India has announced path breaking
changes to its maternity leave policy. There is also an active networking forum,
Vaahini, which has all Accenture India women as
The new Policy 0595 on Maternity Leave Benefits,
members. The Vaahini Circle provides all women
effective December 1, 2014, extends paid maternity
a platform to network and discuss issues such
leave from three months paid leave to five months
as careers, maternity leave, work-life balance
paid leave making Accenture in India the first
and flexibility amongst many other topics. The
company in the Indian IT and ITES sector to offer more
network was expanded to include women from
maternity leave benefits than the three months leave
outside Accenture since 2010.
required by law. They are also entitled to an additional
one month paid leave in case of pregnancy related To know more, log on to the Vaahini knowledge
illness. They can avail another three months of unpaid exchange. Be sure to follow the Vaahini Circle, to
leave beyond the paid maternity leave receive regular updates in your Stream! External
members can log on to the Vaahini microsite for
more information.

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About the Pocket Guide
This pocket guide equips women in Accenture in
India with all there is to know about the maternity
leave policy and the benefits and support available to
women during the pre-maternity leave phase, while
on maternity leave and post return to work from
maternity leave.
This pocket guide envisioned by the Human Capital
& Diversity (HCD) team in Accenture in India has been
put together to ensure that the transition from work
to maternity leave and back-to-work is smooth
for women.
Happy reading!

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4
Accenture in India’s Maternity Leave Policy
1. Maternity Policy change in Accenture in India
I was in such confusion between my career
To ensure that Accenture in India enables women to transition smoothly and my expectant bundle of joy. I feel this is
through new maternal responsibilities, the organization, in an industry
my first bundle of joy!!!
first, has increased maternity leave from three months to five months of
paid leave in India. The new policy has the following features:
-Expectant Mother
· The maximum maternity leave for all Accenture in India women
employees has been increased from three months to five months of
paid leave
· They are also entitled to an additional one month leave in case of Just wanted to say a big ‘THANK YOU’ for this
pregnancy related illness pioneering decision. This is bound to increase
· In addition, new mothers can request additional unpaid leave for up to and further strengthen women employees’
three months after exhausting their vacation balance* trust in the organization.

-Expectant Mother

One employee saw this mailer and came

running towards me. She just grabbed me and
5 Months 1 Month paid 3 Months
paid leave leave (In case unpaid leave thanked endlessly.
of pregnancy
related illness) -HR People Advisor

*The request for leave should be initiated in advance on the AST.

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5
Accenture in India’s Maternity Leave Policy
2. Adoption Leave 3. Miscarriage/Medical Termination of
All men and women at Accenture in India can avail a adoption or ward Pregnancy (MTP)/Tubectomy
leave of 8 weeks paid leave if he/she is the primary caregiver of an To support women in the eventuality of a miscarriage or medical
adopted child or children under the age of 16 years. The primary caregiver termination of pregnancy (MTP), Accenture in India provides a leave
is a parent who has legally adopted the child and is responsible for the duration of six weeks immediately following the date of the occurrence.
daily care of the child.
In case of a tubectomy operation, all women at Accenture in India
Adoption leave should begin within three months of the date of adoption can avail leave duration of two weeks immediately following the date of
and, only one adoption leave can be granted in a year. such operation.
For any illness directly related to pregnancy, delivery, premature birth,
miscarriage or MTP, Women at Accenture in India, can avail an additional
one month of leave.
You can visit the Policy 0595 – Maternity Leave Benefits site for details of
the policy on Adoption leave and Miscarriage / MTP / Tubectomy.

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Mediclaim Benefits for Women on Maternity Leave
Accenture in India medical insurance program covers
hospitalization charges for all employees, their spouses
and up to two dependent children (from the day they
are born).
Maternity-related hospitalization expenses are covered
up to INR 60,000 with employee co-pay at 10 percent.
Please visit the policy website for details of medical
insurance benefits; the supporting documentation
section for frequently asked questions (FAQs); and
the insurance provider’s website for questions
regarding coverage.

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Infrastructure Support for Working Mothers
1. Workplace Facilities for iii. Gynaecologist
Expectant Mothers A lady gynaecologist is available for consultations once a week at all
Accenture in India provides some essential facilities for expectant Wellness Centers.
mothers. All expectant women are entitled to these facilities. Services: The gynaecologist provides consultation services for expectant
These include: mothers. They also provide information and options to facilitate the
i. Foot stool best medical care. Their visiting timings are displayed outside the
Wellness Centers.
Foot stools are provided to expectant mothers on request.
Contact: Please contact the duty manager in your facility to find out the
Benefit: Foot stools make sitting more comfortable. The raised position of visiting timings of the gynaecologist.
the legs reduces the chance of swelling and pain in the knees and ankles.
iv Cab facility
Contact: Please contact the duty manager in your facility to request
foot stools. All expectant mothers are provided cabs on request after approval from
the project lead. The costs are covered under a charge code (WBSe)
ii. Resting Room provided by the project.
Resting Rooms are available in the Wellness Centers at most Accenture in Registration: Expectant mothers can raise an online request in the TMS
India facilities and can be used by expectant mothers. portal and get it approved by the project lead.
Facilities: The air-conditioned Resting Rooms are equipped with beds, Contact: Please get in touch with Transport Helpdesk for more
pillows and blankets. The expectant mothers are always given priority over information on cab facilities.
other employees for access to Resting Rooms.
Contact: Please visit the Workplace Solutions site for information on the
wellness center and the contact details of the duty manager for accessing
the Resting Room in your facility.

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Infrastructural Support for Working Mothers
v. Building evacuations drills
Building evacuation drills are conducted twice a year, during which
expectant mothers are escorted out on priority by the floor wardens.
These drills are the building blocks of any emergency evacuation that may
be conducted real time, where expectant mothers are supported by the
work place team.
Exemption: Upon request expectant mothers can be exempted. from
participating in evacuation drills.
Contact: Please contact the duty manager in your facility to get
more information.

2. Workplace Facilities for Returning Mothers

Nursing Room
Most of the Accenture in India facilities have nursing rooms for new
mothers. These rooms provide them with a private and infection free area
to use a breast pump.
Contact: Please contact the duty manager in your facility to get
more information.
Note: Please check with the Duty Manager of the location that you are based out of,
for the availability of all the above facilities and if yes, where you can find them in
your location.

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9
Programs for Expectant, New and Returning Mothers
1. Maternity Counseling Figure 1: Maternity Counseling helpline
Helpline
A helpline for new and expectant
mothers is available under the
Employee Assistance Program that
focuses on helping its people
cope with both personal and How do you access it?
For employees of Operations:
professional issues. Toll Free Number: 1800 11 2442
(BSNL/MTNL phone) or +91 11 25913469 and +91
Employee Assistance Program offers Maternity Counseling 98 1871 1035 from any other phone.
confidential support and counseling Maternity counseling is [email protected]

to employees undergoing infertility designed to specifically assist

new and expectant mothers For employees of delivery centers for Technology,
treatments. A team of qualified as they embark upon exciting Strategy, Digital and Corporate Functions:
Toll-free number: 1800-102-7293, 1800-209-8424
professionals provides specialist and yet challenging phase.
Toll-free back-up number: 1800-425-1212
telephone support or face-to- Services Available Alternative numbers: 91-80-653-93189
Any expectant or new mother E-mail: [email protected]
face counseling for handling can enroll herself for six one-
stressful life challenges that may on-one telephonic sessions
with a trained counselor
ensue as a result of undergoing a from your service provider
medical procedure of such nature. ‘Santulan/Optum’.
The program helps Accenture in
India women employees educate
themselves about the causes of
infertility, treatment alternatives,
appropriateness and efficacy of
treatment types.

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10
Programs for Expectant, New and Returning Mothers
Pre-parenthood
2. Parenting Workshops Skill Building

Accenture in India conducts workshops and trainings

Preparing for
for expectant mothers as well as new parents. The Parenting
Motherhood
workshop
Parents at Work program is part of a larger framework (Pre-maternity
workshop)
that emphasizes on a culture of support for parents.
Accenture in India empowers the community of
Finding Your
parents to collaborate on digital media through Balance
Parents at Work Circle
Some of the workshops Accenture Target
conducts include: Objective Audience
All Accenture in India women employees receive • Bracing for medical emergencies.
invites to these workshops, conducted at regular • Coping with infertility.
All levels
intervals. For more information, visit the • Preparing for adoption.
I&D portal-Parents at work program or contact the HR
helpline at 2222. • Coping with changes in the family with the arrival of a new child. All levels,
expectant
• Dealing with stress and anxiety in the pre-maternity phase, and enabling family mothers
support and returning to work after the child’s birth.

• Understanding work-life balance and dealing with personal and professional issues All levels,
after child birth. returning
• Analyzing the causes of work-life disconnect and ways to enable a mother
suitable balance.

• Tips on effective parenting—understanding children to provide better support. All levels,

• Being stress-free and having work-life balance. both
genders
• Workshops on topics such as disciplining children, negotiating with children, and
so on.

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11
Programs for Expectant, New and Returning Mothers
3. Childcare Support program
Accenture in India’s Childcare Support Program in India supports working
parents by tying up with daycare centers, so that employees can be at
peace about their children’s well-being when they come to work. Gather information
about the daycare
The daycare centers are selected after multiple rounds of quality checks
centers near your
and audits. These centers have dedicated seats for Accenture parents to
work location
enroll their children, on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Please visit the Accenture in India I&D portal-Childcare to find out about
childcare facilities in different Accenture locations in India. You can also
contact the HR Helpline 2222 for more information or raise a request
on myRequest; Ask a HR question->category Childcare Inquiries -> sub Find a center that meets
your expectations and
category Childcare.
caters to your child’s
needs, write to the center
point of contact and visit
the center
Figure 3: Procedure to enroll to Accenture subsidized day care centers

Fill up the forms

required by the
center for admission
for your child

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Programs for Expectant, New and Returning Mothers
4. Returning Mothers Program programs for upskilling, cross-skilling or refresher training courses,
refreshing or cross-skilling, basis open roles, thus ensuring they are fully
The program is designed to provide the authentic voice of an experienced equipped to proceed on a career path of their choice.
executive who has successfully made the transition from maternity leave
and has returned to work, to a successful career. Every woman who is
about to go on maternity leave is paired with a Returning Mothers’ Coach.
The Coach serves as a role model and a sounding board for expectant and
returning mothers - offering tips, advice, inspiration and ongoing support
to ease them on the beautiful journey of motherhood while continuing
to pursue a career. The Coach also connects with the expectant and
returning mother to provide first-hand information on maternity benefits
and guides them in making career choices with complete intentionality. PreMaternity Leave
Create Awareness
Accenture in India’s strong network of Returning Mothers’ Coaches, draws
its strength from the Vaahini network.
Through the focused and custom-built Staffing Process in the Delivery
Centers Network for Technology India, returning mothers are staffed, by Maternity Leave Phase
following a ‘3 Phase’ focused approach: Provide confirmed date
The program ensures connects with the returning mothers and their of return
supervisors to create awareness about the organization’s commitment
towards Inclusion & Diversity. Their need for flexible work arrangements
(if any) and need for skill refresher training (if any) is recorded. Returning Post Return
mothers upon their request also go through specific development Train* & Re-staff

*training available upon request

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Programs for Expectant, New and Returning Mothers
5. Intentionality of Careers The full module covers different topics such as
“Exploring one’s identity”, “Growing a powerful
Career Intentionality helps an individual in developing network”, “Collaborating for win-win”, “Leading
specific skills convergent with mid-term and long-term an integrated work-life” and “Building trust and
career milestones for a successful and sustainable respect at the workplace”.
career, demonstrating preparedness to tackle sudden
impediments that might come in her way, either at
work or life. Women specifically, benefit from going Intentionality of Careers
through training programs which will help them frame Intentionality of careers is the conscious investment
their career in intentional terms, so that they never towards career goals, while navigating planned and
lose sight of their career and personal goals. unplanned changes in life stages
‘Lean in’ on your career
capital to achieve your
It is how a woman consciously builds a support goals s
network, both personal and professional in order to h a nge
c
grow as a person, with the view of staying focused on 3 Life
Own your Career path as
her career path consciously as your Mature Career
g e s 15+ years of work
personal choices a n experience
It is about her ability to intentionally tap into this ch
Life
network during times of critical life changes, so that Intentionally create allies & 2
sponsors at work and Mid Career
she can continue to stay focused on her career goals. personal life s 5-15 years of work
ge
han
experience
“Intentionality of Careers” essentially refers to the f e c
L i
conscious investment towards career goals, while Maximize learning and 1 Early Career
navigating planned and unplanned changes in create value 1-5 years of work
experience
life stages.
‘Save the Date’ mailers will be sent to the Vaahini Career Entry
0-1 years of work
network giving details about “Intentionality of Careers” experience
program which can be accessed through myLearning.

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Programs for Expectant, New and Returning Mothers
6. Flexible WorkArrangements 5. Flexi-shift (Operations*)
Flexible scheduling arrangement for employees within limits set by their
Accenture in India recognizes that employees have personal responsibilities supervisors.
at different life stages, that may temporarily place a greater demand on
their time. Specifically for returning mothers, the organisation checks in on their
flexible working needs even before they report back to work after their
There is strong focus on enabling flexibility in the workplace across all maternity leave, and factors this preference into staffing decisions upon
businesses. The organisation recognises that flexible working needs and their return.
preferences are varied. Therefore, Accenture in India leaders make every
effort to enable these requests which include: * on business conditions and reasonable grounds
1. Telecommuting (work from home*)
Telecommuting is a flexible scheduling arrangement that allows an
Figure 3: Types of flexible work arrangements
employee to work at a location other than their standard work location or
the company office.
2. New mothers time off
Telecommuting/
A statutory benefit provided by the Maternity Benefits Act, 1961. It Flexi-shift Part time
stipulates one hour paid time off everyday for women with children below Home working
15 months of age.
3. Part time work (at reduced hours and reduced pay*)
Employees have an opportunity to work less than a full-time schedule at
reduced pay.
4. Sabbatical (Operations*)
Employees avail unpaid leave > 3 months and upto 1 year on
reasonable grounds.

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Programs for Expectant, New and Returning Mothers
7. Vaahini as a Support Platform Please visit the Vaahini Governance structure to know more about the
Vaahini council members in various Accenture facilities in India.
Vaahini is a networking forum for professional women, a first-of-its-kind
initiative that allows women professionals to network, learn, grow and For more information on the Vaahini network, please visit the
empower themselves. Vaahini has evolved from an internal networking Vaahini portal.
platform into a forum that has expanded its membership beyond
Accenture in India to working women across industries and organizations.
The Vaahini Circle provides a platform for women in Accenture in India
to exchange ideas on a host of topics including career, maternity leave,
work-life balance and flexibility.
A few women and men Managing Directors across Accenture locations in
India have volunteered their time to the Vaahini India Council. This MD
council is supported by the Vaahini Executive Council which comprises
women representatives at each location. The Vaahini council members
are aware of the issues and challenges facing women juggling multiple
responsibilities, and are eager to hear from and provide support to women
who wish to share their stories or take advice from council members as
they rejoin work after child birth.

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Appendix
1. Portal Links Accenture I&D Portal—Parents at Work Program

Maternity Leave Policy https://sites.accenture.com/publishing/IndiaInclusionandDiversity/

ParentsatWork/Pages/default.aspx
https://policies.accenture.com/Pages/0501-0600/0595.
aspx?rd=1&Country=India Accenture Service Tool (AST)

Maternity Leave: Frequently Asked Questions https://ast.accenture.com/atlas/LOA/wfrmLOA.

aspx?strModule=Leave%20of%20Absence
https://sites.accenture.com/publishing/IndiaInclusionandDiversity/
Pages/announcement.aspx Vaahini KX

Accenture Policies Portal—Flexible Work Arrangements https://kxsites.accenture.com/groups/Vaahini/default.

aspx?lftTitle=Overview
https://policies.accenture.com/Pages/0001-0100/0047_C19.aspx?rd=
1&Country=India&Level=Below+Manager%2fLevel+B Vaahini Governance structure

Inclusion & Diversity (I&D) Portal https://sites.accenture.com/publishing/IndiaInclusionandDiversity/

Pages/Vaahini.aspx
https://sites.accenture.com/publishing/IndiaInclusionandDiversity/
Pages/index.aspx Vaahini Circle

Accenture I&D Portal—Childcare https://circles.accenture.com/3A9D81FA-CE1D-4369-9BF7-

3449E6CB9B37#1
https://sites.accenture.com/publishing/IndiaInclusionandDiversity/
Pages/childcare.aspx

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Appendix
Vaahini Microsite 2. Definitions
http://www.accenture.com/Microsites/vaahini/Pages/index.aspx 1. Maternity Leave: Maternity leave is a paid time off benefit that
Parents at work Circle is provided to a woman employee (full-time as well as part-time) in
connection with the birth of a child.
https://circles.accenture.com/0901b706-c5a0-4c63-9729-
0500b7f3addc#1 2. Additional Maternity Leave: Additional maternity leave is a
one-month paid time off benefit for any illness directly related
Contact details of duty managers in Accenture facilities to pregnancy, delivery, premature birth, miscarriage or medical
https://sites.accenture.com/publishing/WorkplaceSolutions/India/ termination of pregnancy (MTP).
Contacts/Pages/WorkplaceDutyManager.aspx 3. Statutory Maternity Leave: Statutory maternity leave is the paid
Transport Helpdesk time off required to be provided as per the Maternity Benefits Act,
1961. It stipulates maternity leave of 12 weeks.
https://sites.accenture.com/publishing/WorkplaceSolutions/India/
Contacts/Pages/TransportHelpdeskcontacts.aspx 4. Flexi-shift: Flexi-shift is a flexible scheduling arrangement that
allows employees to vary their start/departure times for the workday
Travel Management Portal within limits set by their supervisors, but does not alter the total
https://india.etransport.accenture.com/TmsReport/TMSHome.aspx standard number of hours worked in a workday.

Flexible Work option in Operations 5. Part-time: A part-time arrangement gives employees an

opportunity to work on a part-time basis. This involves working less
https://kx.accenture.com/repositories/contributionform. than a full-time schedule at reduced pay.
aspx?path=C33/82/15&mode=read

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Appendix
6. Telecommuting: Telecommuting is a flexible scheduling For feedback on the Returning Mothers’ Guidebook, or if you wish
arrangement that allows an employee to work at a location other to speak to someone about any of the Diversity programs listed in
than their standard work location or the company office. Typically, it, do reach out to India Human Capital and Diversity at Dhanya
this type of arrangement allows an employee to work remotely from Rajeswaran - [email protected] or Aarti L. Rastogi
home, but does not alter the standard number of working hours per - [email protected]
week or the timing of work hours.
7. New Mothers Time-off: A statutory benefit provided by the
Maternity Benefits Act, 1961. It stipulates one hour paid time off
everyday for women with children below 15 months of age.
8. Sabbatical - Employees avail unpaid
leave > 3 months and upto 1 year on reasonable grounds.
9. Vaahini: Vaahini is a networking forum for professional women,
enabled by Accenture in India. A first-of-its-kind initiative by
Accenture that allows women professionals to network, learn, grow,
and empower themselves and others. Since March 2010, Vaahini has
been expanding beyond Accenture in India to working women across
industries and organizations.

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About Accenture
Accenture is a leading global professional
services company, providing a broad
range of services and solutions in
strategy, consulting, digital, technology
and operations. Combining unmatched
experience and specialized skills across
more than 40 industries and all business
functions—underpinned by the world’s
largest delivery network—Accenture
works at the intersection of business and
technology to help clients improve their
performance and create sustainable value
for their stakeholders. With approximately
373,000 people serving clients in more than
120 countries, Accenture drives innovation
to improve the way the world works and
lives. Visit us at www.accenture.com.

Copyright © 2015 Accenture

All rights reserved.

Accenture, its logo, and

High Performance Delivered
are trademarks of Accenture. CONTENT