Retailer Asda has launched a neonatal care leave policy in order to provide its employees with leave and pay if their baby needs neonatal care after birth.
The policy will enable a parent of a baby admitted into neonatal care, within 28 days of being born, to take additional paid leave.
From this week, Asda’s staff who have a baby in neonatal care treatment for seven full days or more will be able to take up to a maximum of 12 weeks’ paid leave, along with their maternity, paternity or adoption leave.
Employees that need to stay in hospital, or another care setting while their baby receives neonatal care, will receive their full contracted pay for each full week that their baby receives treatment, up to a maximum of 12 weeks.
Asda decided to provide greater support to employees with parental responsibility for a baby receiving neonatal care following research by the National Education Union in August, which found that approximately one in seven babies born in the UK are admitted to a neonatal unit shortly after birth.
Hayley Tatum, chief people and corporate affairs officer at Asda, said: “As a long-time supporter and board trustee of pregnancy and baby charity Tommy’s, I recognise that the birth of a child can be a stressful time for any parent. Unfortunately for many families, this can also come with its own unique challenges which is why we’re launching this policy.
“Our priority is ensuring the wellbeing of all employees and making sure we’re offering our full support as they navigate their way through these challenges. By launching this organisation-wide policy, we hope we can provide the time and essential resources to help our employees to get through what can be an incredibly difficult time for families, as best they can.”
