Virgin Media O2 has introduced a support payment for employees, alongside flexible leave policies, as part of its ambition to become more inclusive and equitable.
The business, which employs around 18,000 people in the UK, has awarded employees who earn £35,000 and under a £1,400 support allowance to assist them with the cost of living rise. The first payment of £400 will be issued next month, followed by another £400 in January 2023, and then six payments of £100 per month until July 2023.
In addition, Virgin Media O2 has introduced a range of leave policies to provide greater support for new parents, including 26 weeks of paid maternity or adoption leave, 14 weeks of paid paternity leave to any new parent, up to five days of paid leave for home emergencies or to help staff support their family, and up to 10 days of paid leave for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one or a miscarriage.
The business has also launched five days of paid carer’s leave, which can be taken as 10 half days, and up to 12 weeks of paid neonatal leave to support parents whose babies?are born prematurely or sick, and require neonatal care. This will be added onto maternity, paternity or adoption leave.
Philipp Wohland, chief people officer at Virgin Media O2, said:?“We’re supporting our employees most affected by the rise in the cost-of-living with a payment of £1,400 to help them through the difficult months ahead. Coupled with an earlier pay uplift and bonus this represents an overall above-inflation increase for many of our people.
“Our new best-in-class leave policies will support all our employees including LGBTQ+ families, and we’re proud to be one of the first UK businesses to offer both carer’s leave and neonatal leave, so that our people have the flexibility to be there for their loved ones when it counts.”
