Defence engineering firm Babcock International Group has introduced premature baby leave for its UK-based employees.
Babcock employees who have a baby born prematurely will be entitled to additional paid leave. This is designed to offer families time and space during a difficult and emotional time.
The new provision builds on the firm’s neonatal leave and forms part of its wider commitments to inclusive family-friendly working.
Babcock has also signed The Employer with Heart Charter in partnership with The Smallest Things charity.
Employers which sign the charter go above and beyond the statutory requirements for neonatal leave as part of an acknowledgement that babies born prematurely have unique needs, often coming home from hospital before their due date. They also understand not only the emotional and financial cost of spending time in neonatal intensive care, but also the ongoing journey faced by families.
Louise Atkinson, chief people officer at Babcock, said: “Introducing premature baby leave sits alongside Babcock’s broader inclusive leave offerings, which supports parents and carers of all genders and family structures, including enhanced parental leave, adoption leave and shared parental leave.
“This commitment reinforces Babcock’s ambition to build a more diverse and inclusive organisation, where colleagues feel supported to grow long-term careers while contributing to the critical work we do for our customers. Our people do extraordinary work to support our country and our allies, often in complex and demanding environments, and so when they need us most, it’s our responsibility to be there for them.”
Luke Pollard MP, minister for defence readiness and industry, added: “By introducing premature baby leave and signing the Employer with Heart Charter, Babcock is setting an important example for the defence sector, showing that compassion, flexibility and inclusion are powerful drivers of a motivated workforce and a high-performing organisation. Valuing our people matters, and that’s why this support is so crucial.”
