Banking group Barclays has enhanced its US childcare leave policy in order to further support new and expectant parents.
For births, adoptions or foster care placements occurring on or after 1 July, the primary and non-primary distinction will be eliminated, and all new parents including men, women, non-binary people, same-sex families, and people who are adopting or fostering, will be eligible for 16 weeks of paid leave. Its childcare leave policy had previously provided primary caregivers with 16 weeks and non-primary caregivers with six weeks of paid childcare leave.
Additionally, mothers who give birth on or after 1 July will also be entitled to an additional six to eight weeks of paid time off for to recover from childbirth through a separate recovery leave that runs prior to their 16 weeks of childcare leave. Previously, birth mothers were eligible for recovery leave that begins immediately after their child’s birth and runs concurrently with their childcare leave.
While the length of the recovery leave is dependent on the nature of the birth, most birth mothers will now receive a total paid leave amount of between 22 and 24 weeks.
Richard Haworth, chief executive officer of Barclays Americas, said: “We are continually investing in our employees and refining our benefits to ensure Barclays remains a great place to work. These enhancements are part of a range of benefits designed to help our employees successfully integrate their professional and personal lives, and demonstrate Barclays’ continued commitment to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment.”
Other benefits at Barclays include family-building support, back-up childcare solutions, on-site health centres, flexible work arrangements, life and health insurance, gym discounts, time off for volunteering, tuition reimbursement, and a discount on purchase price of stock in its employee stock purchase programme.