Global company stun with new maternity leave policy

International telecommunications company Vodafone have been praised following the announcement that they plan to introduce a new policy which will guarantee 16 weeks of paid maternity leave to female employees.

In addition to this, the company have also asserted that once a new mother returns to the workplace, they will only be obliged to work 30 hours per week in order to receive their full-time salaries.

The welcome move, called 'the first of its kind' by senior vice president of the Families and Work Institute, Anne Weisberg, has been made in order to allow new mothers transition back to the work force with relative ease.

Commenting on the policy, President of Vodafone Americas, Chuck Pol. said: "We think it's unique in its nature. It gives us an advantage when we're working with female employees, not only in our business today but as we recruit people."

The new plan is due to be implemented by the end of 2015.