Reliance Personnel Services (Reliance) is an HR services and talent outsourcing agency has withdrawn a controversial maternity leave policy which has been severely criticized.

The Agency in a memo directed that “an employee who wishes to go on maternity leave will have to apply for break (leave without pay) and reapply for their position after the maternity break.”

It added, “Also note that contract duration is for six (6) months and renewable upon availability of the job and performance.”

Some critics and a human rights lawyer, Francis Xavier Sosu condemned the act saying discrimination against gender, especially pregnant women on corporate organisations was unlawful.

However, in a statement copied to Myjoyonline.com, management said it has withdrawn the policy.

It said “The memo did not accurately reflect our leave policy and as such we have withdrawn it with immediate effect. Reliance will continue to apply the leave policy that existed prior to this communication.

Below is a copy of the full statement

STATEMENT ON MATERNITY LEAVE FOR RELIANCE PERSONNEL SERVICES COMPANY LIMITED

• STAFF (TIGO)

Reliance Personnel Services (Reliance) is an HR services and talent outsourcing provider for a number of organizations in Ghana including Tigo Ghana Limited.

We have withdrawn an internal memorandum dated April 5, 2016 to our staff that reached the press stating that paid maternity leave will no longer be granted to our contract staff, and returning mothers will be required to reapply for their position.

The memo did not accurately reflect our leave policy and as such we have withdrawn it with immediate effect.  Reliance will continue to apply the leave policy that existed prior to this communication.

Reliance Personnel Services wishes to state and put on record that the company observes and respects National and International laws in relation to employment.

We sincerely apologise to our staff at Tigo.

SIGNED

MANAGEMENT

7^th April 2016