London Metropolitan University has enhanced its parental leave as part of its commitment to nurture an environment where staff can thrive both professionally and personally.
The updated policies now allow qualifying staff to take 52 weeks of fully paid maternity and adoption leave, which is double its previous entitlement. Additionally, paternity leave has been extended to eight weeks at full pay.
London Metropolitan University has also reduced the qualifying period for occupational maternity and adoption pay from one year to 26 weeks to align with statutory maternity pay qualification requirements. This aims to enhance the work-life balance for more university staff members.
The university decided to make these changes as part of its goal to foster a flexible, supportive and inclusive workplace that aligns with its core values and mission to transform lives through education, and to further underscore its commitment to accessible family support.
Professor Lynn Dobbs, vice-chancellor of London Metropolitan University, said: “We are proud to lead the way in supporting our staff during the most important times of their lives. By doubling our leave entitlements, we are making a clear statement about what our values of ambition and inclusivity mean in practice. It’s a pivotal step in our ongoing efforts to implement our people strategy, ensuring London Met remains a fantastic place to work.”
Chloe Milano, executive director of people at London Metropolitan University, added: “It’s a real source of pride to be able to offer such a generous parental leave package. The first few months of parenthood can be tough for so many reasons, so supporting our staff while they undergo this huge life change is important for London Met.
“Policies should be reviewed and updated to reflect the evolving needs of our employees, and this offering is what we consider to be a great fit for many ambitious parents we hope to retain as valuable members of our workforce for years to come. I’m so pleased to be a part of this transition.”