Teesside University has made significant enhancements to its maternity, adoption and shared parental leave benefits, offering an additional 14 weeks at full pay, as part of its commitment to supporting the family life of its 2,311 employees.
From 2020, all staff taking essential family leave will benefit from a longer period of time off work on full pay; employees will be able to take one year off within the first 12 months of a child's birth or adoption, of which 18 weeks will be at full basic pay and a further 21 weeks at statutory pay.
To receive the enhanced benefit, employees must meet the requirements for statutory maternity pay (SMP), statutory adoption pay (SAP), or statutory shared parental pay (ShP), and have completed at least 26 weeks service with the university by either the date of placement or the 15th week before the estimated week of birth.
Previously, employees were entitled to four weeks at full pay, followed by two weeks at 90%, 12 weeks at half pay plus SMP and 21 weeks at just SMP.
As an Athena Swan and Stonewall accredited organisation, Teesside University has an ongoing commitment to continually improve gender and LGBT equality within the workplace. The university has taken an inclusive approach to ensure that the new benefits being offered are accessible to all.
This update to enhancements in benefits has been communicated via a university update and through information on the HR intranet site.
The benefit is part of a wider policy review and development of a suite of policies under the banner of 'supporting family life'. Further developments to this policy will include the development or paid leave for bereaved parents later in 2020.
Juliet Amos, executive director of HR and LGBT champion at Teesside University, said: “The university wishes to ensure that employees can take time out from their career to spend with their families. This enhanced entitlement ensures we offer a competitive and flexible family friendly benefit to Team Teesside.
"As a university, we are committed to enhancing our staff experience and embracing diversity.”
