Pladis, a snacking business that owns McVitie’s, Godiva, Jacob’s and Carr’s, has launched a global parental and bereavement leave policy to support its employees.
Its global Life Transitions policy offers a commitment to support all of its 16,000 employees across its 20 operating countries with the same standard. This includes a minimum of 36 weeks of leave, with 18 weeks paid, for main carers after birth, assistance for secondary carers that includes four weeks' paid leave, and a focused package to support premature birth and the loss of a child.
This will be rolled out over the next 12 months. Tailored to local market legislation, it will also include a paid phased return to work for employees.
The policy aims to reinforce Pladis’ status as an inclusive employer of choice, supporting employees to always bring their best. It also ensures staff in all regions, regardless of the market minimum, are entitled to equal standards of support during life transitions, so they feel empowered to adjust to life as a parent.
It has also been designed to support parents in all circumstances, because the organisation recognises that not only are there moments of joy for employees becoming a parent, but there can also be complications or sadness.
Geraldine Fraser, chief human resources officer at Pladis, said: “I’m proud to introduce our global Life Transitions Pledge for our 16,000 employees across the 20 countries in which we operate. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our staff and their families during these life-changing moments. Striving to be an employer of choice for women and parents, we’re creating a happy and inclusive workplace for all our employees so they can bring their best every day.”
