Audit, tax services and consultancy organisation Deloitte has introduced a new family leave programme for its US-based staff, allowing employees to take up to 16 weeks of fully-paid leave to provide care for family.
The programme, which launched in September 2016, takes a broad caregiving approach, helping to support staff who provide eldercare and spousal care, as well as those with parenting responsibilities. Both men and women are eligible for the leave.
Mothers who give birth are also eligible for up to six months paid time off when factoring in short-term disability for childbirth.
The programme has been designed to recognise changing family structures and to enhance the level of support available to Deloitte’s 78,600-strong US workforce.
Cathy Engelbert, chief executive officer at Deloitte, said: “By adding supporting for eldercare, spousal care and children beyond the birth stage, Deloitte’s family leave programme provides our people with the time they need to focus on their families in important times of need.
“Leaders often discuss how they can become more innovative, and one of the things that makes a big difference is to focus beyond business products and services and think about their people and the fabric of organisational culture.”
Mike Preston, chief talent officer, added: “Our talent strategy is centered around our ability to create a leadership culture that is focused on the development and wellbeing of our professionals. Leading-edge programmes for our people, reinforced by daily interactions and conversations at the team level, instill a culture of support and wellbeing.”