Alpha Nero, a prominent retail design and production company based in Dubai, has recently unveiled a progressive initiative to support its female employees. Effective from February 2024, the company has implemented a generous 70-day fully paid maternity leave policy.
Severine Hoss, the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Alpha Nero, expressed her personal motivation behind the decision, stating in a Khaleej Times report, “As a mother of two children, I have chosen to extend maternity leave at Alpha Nero to 70 fully paid days to give women extra time to recover, bond with their babies, and ensure their family’s well-being. We believe that this will be a true game changer for maternal health and happiness.”
This move aligns Alpha Nero with a growing trend among local companies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to offer enhanced benefits aimed at retaining top talent, particularly women. In the UAE, the mandatory maternity leave is currently set at 45 calendar days, with federal government employees receiving 60 days off work. Additionally, new mothers are entitled to two 30-minute breaks for breastfeeding until the child reaches 2 years of age.
Acknowledging the significant role of women in leadership positions within the company, Alpha Nero’s CEO Simon Hacker emphasized the organization’s commitment to championing women in business. Hacker noted, “Women play a huge part in our organization. They lead from every chair and have a voice in what is seen as a largely male-dominated industry. This new policy is our way of continuing to champion women in business.”
As signatories of the Women Empowerment Principles (WEP), Alpha Nero underscores its dedication to promoting work-life balance for female employees, thereby facilitating fulfilling careers and ample family time to mitigate the risks of burnout.