LRG has introduced its enhanced neonatal care leave policy.
On 6 April, the government implemented the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023, which allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave to care for a baby in neonatal care.
Demonstrating its ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, LRG has introduced a policy that it says not only meets but exceeds the statutory government offering, further supporting employees during the important, stressful and emotionally challenging times in their lives.
For employees with at least three years of service, it offers full pay for up to 12 weeks, rather than the government’s statutory pay baseline. Furthermore, the group provides additional internal support services and more flexible leave options, ensuring employees have the resources they require in this difficult period.
According to Bliss, a charity that supports families of premature and sick babies, over 90,000 babies are cared for in neonatal units across the UK every year. These babies are either born prematurely or full term but unwell, meaning one in seven babies born in the UK is admitted to a neonatal unit annually.
Hannah Cooper, group HR director of LRG, explained: “While neonatal care may not affect a large number of our employees, we recognise the immense stress it causes for those who are impacted. A real benefit of our enhanced policy is that parents can rest assured knowing that time spent in hospital won’t be taken from their maternity or paternity leave, as this time off will be granted in addition to those entitlements.
“For eligible employees, receiving full pay helps relieve some of the financial pressure during what is already a deeply emotional and traumatic period.”
