Global benefits

Given the difficult humanitarian crises that MSF responds to, the nature of our work can be stressful. Enabling work-life balance, of which leaves are an essential component, contributes to staff well-being.  

MSF also aims to reflect the diversity of our global workforce through a framework that accounts for different family structures and personal situations. This approach, which takes into account the diverse needs of employees, also aims to contribute to a supportive work-environment and retention.

As a caring and supportive employer, MSF:  

• Ensures all employees have suitable breaks from work for vacation and rest;
• Ensures all employees have suitable breaks from work to welcome a child. MSF considers it particularly important to support women in this regard, recognising the need to reduce barriers to participation and progression in the workplace;
• Includes provisions to support staff through major life events, and to manage family responsibilities, other obligations, or other urgent or unexpected situations inclusively.  

To enable this, MSF’s global leaves policy defines minimum standards for:  

• annual leave;  
• circumstantial leave (including personal days);  
• parental leave (including birthing, co-parent, and adoption components).
   

As a responsible employer, and as a medical organisation, MSF ensures access to healthcare for employees under MSF contract and their dependents living in the same country. For a full understanding of healthcare coverage applicable for an employee, contact your MSF office.
 

MSF supports the family of employees in the event of their death by providing financial support, ensuring the beneficiaries of a staff member who dies of work-related or occupational causes are compensated, fulfilling legal and ethical responsibilities as an employer. In addition, as a caring and supportive employer concerned with providing a solid package of benefits, MSF provides some financial support in case of the death of the employee from non-work-related causes.
 

The MSF Global Policy on Travel Allowance sets out the principles and methodology used to determine daily travel allowance amounts. It applies worldwide to all staff travelling outside their regular place of work on trips that MSF deems necessary to fulfil our social mission, priorities, and obligations.  

MSF covers the costs of reasonable local meals for staff undertaking approved work-related travel outside their regular place of work. MSF entities define the amount applicable in their country using a common methodology. This applies for all MSF staff travelling there and is paid as a travel allowance, or as expense reimbursement depending on the context when meals are not otherwise provided.

It does not cover personal convenience items or transport or accommodation, which are handled through other travel policies.
 

Other key benefits provided to MSF staff across entities and staff groups include short-term disability (sick leave), long term disability, and retirement, adjusted per staff group and/or to context.