Babcock International Group has introduced a new paid premature baby leave entitlement for its UK-based employees, becoming the first defence company to sign The Employer with Heart Charter in partnership with The Smallest Things charity, the company stated.
The new policy will provide additional paid leave to colleagues whose baby is born prematurely, with the aim of giving families additional time during what the company described as a difficult and emotional period. Babcock said the provision builds on its existing neonatal leave arrangements and forms part of its wider approach to family-friendly working.
Louise Atkinson, Chief People Officer at Babcock, said: “Introducing premature baby leave sits alongside Babcock’s broader inclusive leave offerings, which supports parents and carers of all genders and family structures, including enhanced parental leave, adoption leave and shared parental leave.”
Atkinson added: “This commitment reinforces Babcock’s ambition to build a more diverse and inclusive organisation, where colleagues feel supported to grow long-term careers while contributing to the critical work we do for our customers.”
She also said: “Our people do extraordinary work to support our country and our allies, often in complex and demanding environments and so when they need us most it’s our responsibility to be there for them.”
The initiative was welcomed by Defence Minister Luke Pollard MP, who described the introduction of premature baby leave as an important step for the sector.
Pollard said: “When a baby is born prematurely, families face an incredibly challenging time. It’s right that employers do everything they can to remove pressure and provide meaningful support.”
He added: “By introducing premature baby leave and signing the Employer with Heart Charter, Babcock is setting an important example for the Defence sector, showing that compassion, flexibility and inclusion are powerful drivers of a motivated workforce and a high performing organisation. Valuing our people matters, and that’s why this support is so crucial.”
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