Nursery retailer Mamas and Papas is to enhance maternity, adoption, paternity and shared parental leave policies to better support its approximately 800-strong workforce.
The Huddersfield headquartered firm has committed to offering all new parents 26 weeks of enhanced maternity pay, with the first 13 weeks at full pay and the second 13 weeks at half pay, inclusive of statutory maternity pay. Paternity leave will be increased from two to four weeks at full salary.
Staff undergoing fertility treatment will receive five paid days of leave per cycle throughout unlimited cycles. Those who experience a pregnancy loss will also be entitled to paid leave.
The organisation will also offer more workplace assistance to anyone experiencing menopause symptoms, while also enabling access to specific mental health training for managers and staff. This assistance will be provided externally via employee assistance programmes (EAPs) and more personal internal occupational health support.
Additional commitments include flexible working for carers and those who are fostering, and an extra day of holiday for staff celebrating weddings and civil ceremonies.
The policies were designed to reward the people driving the organisation’s success and to promote greater inclusivity.
Caroline Cording, group human resources director at Mamas and Papas, said: “Our people agenda serves to reinforce our commitment to our people. We are delighted to be in a position to introduce these enhanced benefits, which promote flexibility, security, a greater work life balance and support when it is needed the most.
“Over the past two years, our business has grown significantly, despite the challenges presented by the pandemic. It’s clear this simply wouldn’t have been possible without the commitment of our store colleagues and head office teams. As we look to further expansion, this is about listening to our colleagues, acknowledging the invaluable role they play and rewarding their loyalty.”