Now, single-parent male govt. employees get childcare leave

Male government employees, who are single parents, are now entitled to childcare leave for 180 days in Karnataka, said an order issued by the State government on Friday.

‘Single male parent’ includes employees who are unmarried, divorced or are widowers and might take up the responsibility of caring for a child single-handedly, the order said. If an employee gets married during the childcare leave, the leave gets cancelled, the order added. The Central government had made a similar provision for its employees about three years ago.

Back in 2021, the Karnataka government had notified an order allowing its employees who adopt children to avail of maternity and paternity leaves on a par with biological parents.