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CUHK Extends Paid Maternity Leave and Enhances Various Family-Friendly Policies for Staff
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) announces today (13 November) an array of enhanced family-friendly provisions and measures with effect from 1 January 2019, including the extension of full-pay maternity leave for all full-time female staff from 10 weeks to 14 weeks and full-pay paternity leave for all full-time male staff from 5 working days to 7 working days. In accordance with the HKSAR Chief Executive’s initiative to enhance maternity leave provision for civil servants effective from 10 October 2018, female full-time appointees of CUHK whose actual or expected date of confinement falls on or after 10 October 2018 will be provided with a 14-week maternity leave as well.
In the announcement to CUHK staff members today, Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK said, “The University is keenly cognizant of the importance of supporting its staff to cope with their family responsibilities, particularly at critical life events. This is the motivation for our review on family-friendly measures, which started in late 2017. I am pleased to announce that, after thorough consultation with relevant Committees, four enhanced provisions have been approved by the Executive Committee of the Council, which will be implemented beginning 1 January 2019.”
CUHK launched various family-friendly measures in early 2008 and was the first among all University Grants Committee-funded universities in Hong Kong to provide paternity leave and adoption leave for staff. Details of CUHK’s extension of paid maternity leave, paternity leave, adoption leave and bereavement leave for full-time staff effective from 1 January 2019 are as follows:
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Policies |
Enhanced Provision |
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Maternity leave |
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Paternity Leave |
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Adoption Leave |
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Bereavement Leave |
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Request for deferral of substantiation review (similar to tenure) |
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* As a caring employer, CUHK will also allow female appointees whose expected or actual date of confinement falls within the period from 10 October 2018 to 31 December 2018 to enjoy 14 weeks’ full-pay maternity leave.
In furtherance of its emphasis on a positive and family-friendly workplace, CUHK established the “Committee on Positive Workplace and Staff Development” in 2013 and the “Task Force on Women and Family-Friendly Policies” in 2014. Since 2015, nursing rooms have been set up in campus and lactation breaks have been offered to lactating staff, to cater for the family needs of female staff. The “Positive Workplace Service Award” was launched in the year 2016/2017 to recognise staff who demonstrate a positive attitude, and cultivate and promote a positive workplace culture in the University. A day in December each year has been designated as “Staff Appreciation Day” since 2015 to express thankfulness and appreciation to colleagues in the festive season.
CUHK has received three awards in the 2017/2018 Family-Friendly Employers Award Scheme organised by the Home Affairs Bureau and the Family Council. They are “Meritorious Family-Friendly Employers 2017/18”, “Special Mention 2017/18” and “Award for Breastfeeding Support 2017/18”. This is the second time CUHK has participated in the bi-annual award scheme. In 2015/2016, CUHK also received three awards under the Scheme. These awards affirm CUHK’s efforts in the implementation of family-friendly employment policies and provisions, and in the promotion of family core values.
