Saga is to give its staff ‘grandparental leave’ in a first for big business.
One week of paid leave will be granted to grandparents of the 2,500 workers. This is in celebration of the newborns’ birth and their care.
This company offers services for over-50s and said that all grandchildren will have direct access to its nursery.
British firm Saga (pictured and file photo), that provides services to over-50s has announced it will give their grandparents a week of paid leave from work to commemorate the births of their grandchildren.
Saga stated that the week-long paid leave reflects the company’s belief in the importance of work experience, as well as a recognition of the contribution of grandparents to the families of their grandchildren and the wider society.
The company added that its research shows a quarter of working grandparents said they find it ‘difficult’ to balance work with childcare commitments.
Jane Storm, chief people officer at Saga, said: ‘This is about helping new grandparents celebrate a special moment and play a role in their growing families from day one. It’s also a symbol of how important older workers are to their companies and to society.
‘As a purpose-led business we have a responsibility to build a representative, multigeneration workforce fit for the future, that serves the needs of our customers.
‘Our customers are mostly over 50 and we want to have more colleagues here that reflect the community we serve. We also think this idea should be a key attraction for retention and recruitment.’
Shelley Whittam, who works in Saga’s insurance department, plans to take the paid week off later this month.
The company said that its research shows a quarter of working grandparents said they find it ‘difficult’ to balance work with childcare commitments
She said: ‘I’m so excited to be able to spend a week with my new grandchild and help our family with childcare at such an important moment.
‘I’ve been through this myself and have experience that I hope will help my child get to grips with parenthood.
‘It’s great that Saga recognises this and the vital role grandparents play in family and society.’
In 2015 David Cameron’s Conservative government championed the idea of paid leave for new grandparents, but later dropped the idea.
Parental leave rights were most recently updated in 2015, allowing couples to share 50 weeks of leave – 37 weeks of which is paid –between them.
Mothers and fathers can take leave in their child’s first year at different times, or double up by taking it at the same time.
Parents in employment, such as adoptive parents and identical-sex couples, have the same rights.
The 50 weeks are on top of two weeks’ leave given to mothers after birth, and the two weeks of paid paternity leave automatically given to fathers.