Law firm Lewis Silkin has enhanced its parental leave policy in order to offer equitable support for new parents.
The policy, which comes into effect for employees with one year of service, whose children are due to be born or adopted from 1 April, will enable all new parents, regardless of their gender or role, to take 12 months’ leave. A total of six months of this will be fully paid.
Paid leave can be taken in an unlimited number of discontinuous blocks at any time over the 52 weeks to ensure mothers, fathers, primary or secondary adopters have freedom over when they take it. Leave and pay do not have to be shared with the other parent where both are employed by the firm, so an employee can benefit from both regardless of the other parent’s choices.
In addition, employees with a baby who is receiving, or has received, neonatal care can take up to an additional 12 weeks’ fully paid leave, and targets are reduced immediately following parental leave.
The policy is available to new parents across Lewis Silkin’s offices in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Hong Kong.
Jo Farmer, joint managing partner at Lewis Silkin, said: “As a firm, we pride ourselves on being supportive and inclusive, and a place where people can reach their professional potential while also living a full life outside of work, including by starting a family if they choose to do so. Our new parental leave policy is a true reflection of that long-standing culture and we are proud to be championing a shift away from traditional gendered parenting roles.”
Julia Paulding, chief people officer at Lewis Silkin, added: “We want everyone at Lewis Silkin to feel that they can raise a family, if they wish to do so, and also progress in their career. That’s why we have put in place a single policy applicable to all team members regardless of any leave arrangements their partner may have in place. In taking this step, we are supporting women by moving away from traditional gendered parenting roles, and giving all new parents in the firm the flexibility and freedom to be present in the critical early months of their child’s life.”