The recently published company press release explains that the programme is "designed to support AXA's workforce at different life stages and during moments that matter." It strives to provide employees with numerous health, care, and leave benefits by 2024, in compliance with local practices and legislation.

Some changes include the extension of the duration of parental leave from 4 to 8 weeks and support for employees with additional leave and flexible working time arrangements in case of vitro fertilisation, or pregnancy loss.

Moreover, up to five days of fully paid leave will be available for caregivers.

Menstrual, menopausal, or andropause health conditions, as well as psychological support, medical check-ups, and minimum financial coverage in case of cancer, will be included in the Healthy programme already introduced in 2020.

Any employee experiencing domestic violence will be able to receive psychological support and specialised care services, as well as access to flexible working arrangements and five days of fully paid leave.

Karima Silvent, Group Chief Human resources officer, said: "At Axa, we care deeply about our people. It was crucial for us to build on top of the existing local services and benefits, a global programme that offers the same benefits to all our employees. Axa acknowledges that employees may have complex and varying lives and aims to provide a platform that empowers our employees to care for themselves and their loved ones, no matter where they are based in the world."

This initiative confirms a general trend whereby multinationals offer their employees a global level of social protection, as previously reported in our editions (you can read here about the most recent Veolia).