Commercial fitting and refurbishing organisation BW: Workplace Experts has introduced enhanced parental leave arrangements for its 250 employees.
Previously, the organisation offered maternity leave of six weeks at 90% of pay, followed by 33 weeks at a rate of £148.68 per week. Under the new policy, which launched on 18 November 2019, employees will now be able to take 18 weeks at full pay, followed by 21 weeks at the £148.68 rate. This will also be applicable to adoption leave.
Paid paternity leave has also been enhanced, from two weeks to six, with the freedom to take the additional four at any point during the first year of their child's life. This aims to help staff support partners on maternity leave return to work.
Penny Creswell, head of HR at BW, said: “We are constantly striving to support our employees as much as possible and ensure that our policies are aligned to their needs. Our annual employee survey illustrated that this was a concern for individuals, and we are delighted to be able to say we asked, listened and have [taken action] to ensure our benefits align to the wants of our employees”
Steve Elliott, chief executive officer at BW, added: “Our employees are vital to the success of our business and their happiness and wellbeing is paramount. BW endeavours to support them in all aspects of their lives and our revised approach reflects this by providing the best allowances possible when it comes to family leave options.”
