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RB has announced a generous global parental leave policy.
Health and hygiene firm RB has launched a global parental leave policy and over 100 wellness suites where mothers can breastfeed.
The policy extends paid maternity leave from 16 weeks to 26 weeks on full pay followed by the option to take a further 26 weeks unpaid. It also increases paternity leave for new fathers and partners to four weeks’ leave on full pay with the option to take a further four weeks unpaid.
And there will be extra support for parents of premature babies with additional paid maternity leave covering the number of full weeks between the date of birth and 37th week. It also allows the flexibility for additional paternity leave at full pay in this event.
The only country where it operates where this will be different is the US which will be excluded from the maternity leave changes for now. The policy is being reviewed in 12 months. However, US dads are entitled to six weeks’ paid leave.
RB, whose brands include Durex and Nurofen, is also launching 100+ new wellness suites worldwide where new mums can rest, express milk and breastfeed. RB will provide free breast pumps if needed. Should they wish, returning mothers will also have access to a mentor for six months.
All these rights apply to LGBTQ+ employees, parents who are adopting and surrogate families.
The leave is awarded regardless of the number of hours an employee works, providing they have been in continuous RB employment for 12 months. RB has 40,000 employees worldwide in 60+ locations.
“At RB we have a clear ethos about giving our employees the Freedom to Succeed – in and outside of work” says Gurveen Singh, Chief Human Resources Officer. “That means helping all employees, both male and female, to take a more significant part in their child’s early years while we reduce the stress and uncertainty that often surrounds parental leave. We are committed to delivering on our promise to improve support for new parents transitioning back to work in the communities where we live and work. As an industry leader, RB remains committed to further breakthroughs in parental benefits.”
Meanwhile, Swiss consumer goods giant Nestlé has launched a gender-neutral global parental support policy that sees parental leave for primary caregivers extended by four weeks to 18 weeks of fully paid leave. Secondary caregivers, for whom there was no global minimum before, will now have a minimum of four weeks.