Allied Irish Banks (AIB) has enhanced its family-friendly and bereavement leave policies as part of its aim to positively impact employees’ work life balance and offer support for family care and life events.
It has introduced up to 10 days of foster leave for all employees who foster children, having designed and worked on the policy with Foster Care Ireland and the Financial Services Union.
It has also improved its compassionate leave by offering up to 10 days of paid leave when an immediate family member passes away, up to 20 days for a child of any age, and up to three days paid leave for any other loved one.
AIB will also introduce neonatal leave for all parents of newborns that have to spend time in hospital. Employees can take this in weekly blocks for each week their baby receives neonatal care, for up to 12 weeks.
Additionally, it has implemented a change to its maternity leave policy following new legislation as a result of the Irish Cancer Society’s Leave Our Leave campaign. Employees will now be able to postpone all, or part, of their maternity leave if they require treatment for a serious medical reason.
David McCormack, chief people officer at AIB, said: “At AIB, the wellbeing of our people is of critical importance to us. After engaging with our employees, the Financial Services Union and Foster Care Ireland, we are delighted to introduce foster leave to support our people on their fostering journey. Allied to this, we are improving our family leave, compassionate leave, neonatal leave and maternity leave policies to provide our people with the widest range of supports, giving them a helping hand when they need it most.”
AIB offers a range of family leave support, including 10 days of fertility leave and surrogacy leave which matches its maternity leave policy. It also topped up its paid parental leave by nine weeks in August 2024. All family leave support is a day one right for employees.
