Working parents face a whole host of challenges when it comes to managing their job around a busy family life.
In April to June 2021, 76% of mothers with dependent children were in employment, more than any time over the last 20 years according to Office for National Statistics (ONS).
As over two thirds (67%) of working parents in the UK now believe flexible work could help them progress at work, companies are aiming to make life easier for staff with children.
From on-site nurseries to term-time only contracts, Retail Gazette looks at the retailers bringing in industry-leading initiatives that are making life easier for working parents.
Paid neonatal leave at M&S
M&S introduced a Neonatal Leave Policy for its workers last month, becoming one of the first retailers to launch the initiative.
Under the new scheme, staff can get up to 12 weeks of paid leave if their baby needs specialist neonatal care.
M&S said the offer means families with premature babies or babies needing additional care won’t have to “worry about work” or “using up their maternity, paternity or adoption leave”.
M&S group HR director Sarah Findlater explained: “We know that being a parent of a baby who requires neonatal care is an incredibly worrying time and that time may be spent with their baby in hospital, rather than at home.
“We want to do all we can to support colleagues who find themselves in this heart-breaking situation and we hope the introduction of Neonatal Leave will provide some peace of mind so that their focus can be on their baby without having to worry about pay or using up their maternity, paternity or adoption leave”.
Term-time only contracts at Amazon
Amazon revealed it would offer warehouse staff term-time only contracts last month, which will provide relief to some working parents.
The special contracts mean parents, grandparents and guardians can use six weeks of summer holiday and two weeks over the Easter and Christmas breaks to look after their kids.
All UK workers have the right to request flexible working after being employed in the same place for at least 26 weeks. However, staff at Amazon are eligible for the contracts as soon as they start the job.
As of May, the contracts had been trialed in three sites and phased in across all of the company’s fulfilment centers but a further roll-out is planned across sorting centres and delivery hubs throughout the UK this year.
Paid leave for foster carers at John Lewis
Last month John Lewis rolled out an additional paid leave offer for all new and existing foster carers working at its business.
Foster carers at the company can now get an extra paid week of leave.
John Lewis Partnership is now the largest organisation to receive ‘Foster Friendly’ employer accreditation from the Fostering Network.
But this isn’t the first time John Lewis has taken steps to support the foster care community.
Back in 2022, it launched its ‘Building Happier Futures’ programme to help young people in care.
What’s more, the company broadcast a Christmas advert focusing on the foster care system last year.
On-site nursery at Next Head Office
Working parents at the Next Head Office can take advantage of its on-site ‘Next Steps Nursery’.
The nursery, which has been running for almost ten years, looks after 190 little ones each day and has almost 300 registered employee children.
The facility can only be used by children of staff at its head office in Leicester and its local contact centres.
The super convenient nursery is also a Salary Sacrifice Scheme, meaning employees can cover its fees from their gross salary and save up to 50%.
One of the most popular benefits we have here at Head Office is our Oftsed ‘Outstanding’ Nursery 🍼👶🐥
It’s on-site & dedicated to high quality care & engaging learning experiences for the children!https://t.co/zjIbgcSVkX#lifeatnext #nursery #childcare #worklifebalance pic.twitter.com/tqZ1GT4w8y
— Life at Next (@lifeat_next) August 27, 2019
Paid IVF leave at Mamas & Papas and The Co-op
Staff working at both Mamas & Papas and the Co-op can claim paid IVF leave.
Mother and baby retailer Mamas & Papas brought in a host of welcome changes for parents last year, including paid IVF leave, improved parental leave, and paid leave for those suffering pregnancy loss.
Meanwhile, Co-op staff undergoing IVF, including those using a surrogate, can take paid leave to attend medical appointments, regardless of the hours they work or the time spent at the retailer.
The company’s time off is also flexible and unrestricted, as it admitted “it cannot assume to know what people will need”.
Its measures even extend to partners of those undergoing IVF so they can attend appointments. Paid leave is offered for up to 10 appointments per cycle and for up to three cycles of fertility treatment.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
