Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust has introduced paid leave for employees who experience pregnancy loss and the premature arrival of new babies.
Employees who experience a miscarriage before the 24th week are now entitled to two weeks of paid leave, while a partner can take to up to five days of paid leave.
The trust’s early childbirth leave allows employees whose babies are born early to receive additional maternity leave at full pay, with partners receiving an additional two weeks at full pay. Full pay will be offered until 40 weeks, at which time maternity leave will begin. An additional two weeks has been offered in addition to paternity leave and pay for partners.
According to the trust, the policies were launched as part of an enhanced package called Your Leave Plus, which brings together all leave into an inclusive offering aimed at supporting staff health and wellbeing. The package also includes paid time off for fertility treatment, a birthday day off, and other types of special leave.
The trust received accreditation as a Tommy’s Pregnancy and Parenting at Work Champion, and signed the Employer with Heart Charter, run by charity The Smallest Things.
Michele Moran, chief executive at Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I am extremely proud to launch You Leave Plus and to support our workforce, not only the 79% of them who are women but also their partners whose support it vital to their physical and emotional recovery. This is just one of the ways that we are putting into practice our promise to our team that their wellbeing at work is our priority.”
Steve McGowan, director or workforce and organisational development at the trust, added: “We want to create a culture of openness around employees’ wellbeing and promote more open and meaningful workplace conversations on pregnancy and parenting, including complications, fertility treatment, premature birth, and baby loss. However, what is also important is how we embed this with our teams with the training and support needed to ensure that real change takes place beyond launch day.”