Manulife Financial Corp. is increasing its family leave support for Canadian employees, providing 20 weeks of paid maternity leave and 12 weeks of paid parental and adoption leave, effective Jan. 1, 2021.
Canadian employees and their dependants also now have access to full gender affirmation coverage for both surgical and non-surgical treatments, as well as medical cannabis coverage for specific health needs.
Read: Manulife boosts mental-health benefits for staff to $10,000 per year
These new benefits were designed to provide support for families of all forms, according to a press release. Earlier this year, Manulife introduced reimbursement of up to $20,000 per year for adoption and surrogacy support and fertility medication.
“As the needs of our employees evolve, the benefits we offer have to as well,” said Pam Kimmet, chief human resources officer at Manulife, in a press release. “Families take many forms, such as single parents, same-sex couples and transitioning transgender family members and we look to support these different journeys.”