Restaurant and events catering business Searcys has enhanced its maternity and paternity pay as part of an overall approach to improving its family and parental benefits.
The firm, which employs more than 1,100 members of staff across its venues and head office team, introduced a policy providing up to 24 weeks of full pay and a £250 gift or voucher on return for maternity leave. It will also provide up to two weeks of full pay for paternity leave, dependent on the length of service and job role.
According to the employer, it reviewed its employee benefit scheme before introducing the new payments as part of its recruitment, training and retention strategy.
Denise Allen, people director at Searcys, said: “Our ambition is to become the best place to work in the hospitality industry, and with our business growing, we have put a particular emphasis on ensuring that we look after, nurture and develop our people so that they are given all the opportunity to grow with us. The launch of our enhanced benefits package is an important step in our long-term retention strategy.”
The new payments were added to existing benefits, such as up to 38 days of annual leave, a 50% discount on food across Searcys venues, access to a 24/7 employee assistance programme (EAP), in-house mental health first aiders, a Bupa medical cover option, access to gym discounts and a cycle to work scheme.
Other benefits available include access to 43 apprenticeship schemes, along with enrolment into Searcys Champagne School, a day off for staff birthdays, a season ticket loan, meals provided on shift when working within one of the venues a day off for volunteering, access to everyday discounts and communication portal, long service recognition, an annual people awards ceremony and annual social events and celebrations.