Lebanese Company Becomes The First To Implement Paid Paternity Leave

Known as one of the largest producers of spirits, Diageo Lebanon has become the very first company in Lebanon to implement a fully paid paternity leave policy, starting July 1st.

This first-time decision came as an enactment of the company’s global policy, which has been enforced in all countries (including Lebanon) on all employees, regardless of how long they’ve been part of the company.

The new global policy offers female employees in all markets a minimum of 26 weeks of fully paid maternity leave, as well as a global minimum standard of four weeks paternity leave, with a significant number of Diageo’s businesses moving to 26 weeks paid fully.

“We all understand the significance of the mother’s presence in the life of their baby, but what about the father’s?” said George Rbeiz, General Manager of Diageo Middle East and North Africa. “Giving fathers a 6-month fully paid paternity leave is us acknowledging the important role a father plays in raising families.”

It’s important to note that this is not the first we’ve seen of Diageo’s progressive actions. In fact, the company was previously named the fourth most diverse and inclusive workplace in the 2018 Thomson Reuters Diversity & Inclusion Index, a recognition of the company’s impressive progress to champion diversity and inclusion.

Even better, numbers show that 40% of Diageo’s executive committee and 44% of Diageo’s board are women, further establishing the company as a leader in workforce inclusion and diversity.

Amazing news, we hope other companies follow suit!