Global integrated legal and business services provider DWF has introduced improved family friendly policies to support working parents and guardians.
According to the firm, which employs 4,000 members of staff, this was in response to employee feedback. DWF said it aims to create a more inclusive, empathic environment for parents and guardians, providing a consistent level of support to all of its UK workers.
Staff will be entitled to 26 weeks maternity and adoption pay at full salary, four weeks of paternity pay at full salary, and four weeks of fixed profit share for members, and eight weeks of shared parental pay at full salary for employees and members.
In addition, employees will be able to receive four weeks of parental bereavement leave at full pay and four weeks fixed profit share for members, with both as floors that are followed by a discretionary review. DWF has also introduced an additional week of neonatal leave for every further week that a baby born before 37 weeks needs to be in a neonatal unit for up to 12 weeks, and three days of miscarriage leave.
The firm is also offering five days of full pay for appointments to prepare for or undergo IVF treatment, plus a reasonable amount of time off to attend appointments outside of this, and discounted nursery fees.
Helen Hill, chief people officer at DWF, said: “We continually evaluate policies of this nature to ensure the needs of our colleagues are being met, to provide them with the best possible opportunities to support their wellbeing and that of their families.
“It is important that all colleagues feel supported during major events in their lives, a time when events in personal lives naturally take a priority over work. We hope that through these significant policy improvements we are demonstrating our commitment to supporting our colleagues in these moments.”
