When will the new Employment Rights Bill be introduced?
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Big Four firm Deloitte is the first of the major accountants to introduce an equal family leave policy so new parents will be eligible for 26 weeks’ fully paid leave
The fully paid leave package will be the centrepiece of the firm’s wider, enhanced family and carers leave package, including paid time off for neonatal care, caring responsibilities and fertility treatment.
The policy will come into effect on 1 January 2025. This includes maternity, adoption and surrogacy, paternity and shared parental leave.
It will be available for employees whose expected date of childbirth/adoption placement falls on or after 29 December 2024.
From January the firm will also offer up to 12 weeks of additional paid leave for parents whose child receives neonatal care. This leave is required in line with the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023, which states it is a day one right and has to be paid at a minimum of £123 a week. It is treated separately to paid parental leave, which Deloitte is calling ‘family leave’.
The move came as YouGov research, commissioned by Deloitte, showed that family leave is a crucial consideration for employees, with nine out of 10 (87%) saying it was a major factor when choosing an employer and 85% saying it is key for staying with their current employer.
Richard Houston, Deloitte senior partner and CEO, said: ‘I’m proud of the changes we’re announcing – they demonstrate both the significance and value we place on looking after our people during some of the most important moments in their lives, as well as our added commitment to equality.’
The research also found that the lack of equality meant that 54% of working mothers said that if their partner had more parenting leave, it would help them to progress in their career.
Over half of working mothers (57%) have had to reduce working hours because of their co-parent’s workplace inflexibility; and more than half (54%) of working parents said they would consider leaving their jobs for improved work-life balance.
In addition, the majority (61%) of mothers said that if their partner had more flexibility in their role, it would help them to progress.
Jackie Henry, Deloitte managing partner people & purpose, said: ‘These findings underscore the urgent need for employers to adopt policies that support all parents in balancing work and family responsibilities, ultimately fostering greater gender equality in the workplace.
‘We know that equalising paid parenting leave for all parents is an important step in improving gender equality and in giving families the opportunity to share responsibility right from the early days of parenthood.
‘This move demonstrates our ongoing commitment to greater equality in family responsibilities - and will make Deloitte an even more family-friendly place to work.’
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