GLOBAL PAYROLL MAGAZINE
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Naturally, if you, as the employer, wish to extend paternity leave as a benefit to male employees, you may do so at your discretion (all the while maintaining fairness: for example, extending the offer of paternity leave to all concerned employees, as opposed to a handpicked few). Exceptions: In Nigeria, male Federal Civil Service workers have gained access to a 14-day paternity leave, granted by the Federal Government of Nigeria. Male staff members of certain state governments, such as the states of Enugu and Lagos, are also eligible for paternity leave. In Enugu State, paternity leave lasts for 3 weeks, however, in Lagos State, it lasts for 2 weeks and is only applicable to the employee’s first 2 children.
Adoption: As it stands, maternity leave benefits in Nigeria apply solely to biological childbirth and do not extend to employees adopting children. Common Issues: One prevalent issue in the Nigerian context is the termination of female employees upon the discovery of their pregnancy. If the sole reason for termination is the employee’s pregnancy, the employer commits a grave offense against the employee, violating labor law. This exposes the employer to lawsuits and heavy fines, as well as a near irreparable corporate image.
Paternity Leave: In Nigeria, there is no statutory paternity leave for men. Male
employees in Nigeria are not entitled to any paid leave days to take care of their child whether it is before or after delivery.
Author: Africa HR Solutions
Navigate employee leave and benefits with Africa HR Solutions We are a leading payroll and employment outsourcing specialist and have been exclusively focused on Africa for over 14 years. We cover the complete spectrum of HR outsourcing services with the most comprehensive coverage across Africa that includes payroll outsourcing, employer of record services, end-to- end immigration and work permit support, cross-border payments as well as procuring employee benefits; including insurance and pension schemes. We also offer a range of ancillary services such as arranging in-country office leases, IT equipment and motor vehicle leases. Our proven track record and deep in- country knowledge position us today as a reliable, high-caliber payroll service provider across 46 African countries.
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