The benefit most appreciated by working parents and carers at Fieldfisher is our carers and dependants leave policy, which provides meaningful, practical support for colleagues navigating the complexities of family life. We recognise that caring responsibilities, whether for children, elderly relatives, or others who rely on our people for support, can be unpredictable, urgent, and emotionally demanding. This policy is designed to give employees the flexibility they need without added financial pressure or workplace uncertainty.
Under the policy, all UK employees are entitled to five days of paid leave per year, available from the first day of employment. This leave can be taken in full or half days and can be used for both emergency situations, such as a child falling ill, a hospital admission, or a sudden breakdown of childcare and pre-planned appointments, including medical visits or nursery closures. This level of flexibility helps ensure our people never feel forced to choose between essential care duties and their work commitments.
What makes the policy even more valued is the option for employees to purchase up to an additional five days of leave each year in a tax-efficient way. This gives working parents and carers access to a total of ten days dedicated specifically to managing dependants’ needs, something colleagues repeatedly describe as a significant source of reassurance.
Although the carers and dependants leave policy may not appear, at first glance, to be one of our headline-grabbing benefits, it is consistently the one our people tell us they value most. Time and again, colleagues emphasise that having reliable, well-designed support for life’s everyday challenges makes the biggest difference. Sometimes, the most impactful thing an organisation can do is get the fundamentals right and do them exceptionally well. This policy is a clear example of how strong, practical foundations can create real, lasting reassurance for the people who rely on them.
While employees greatly appreciate our enhanced parental leave and the ability to add dependants to private medical insurance, the carers and dependants leave policy stands out because of its immediate, practical impact. It reflects our commitment to fostering a culture where colleagues feel genuinely supported, especially during the moments that matter most at home. Ultimately, it enables our people to balance their professional responsibilities with confidence, flexibility and compassion.
