Skanska UK has enhanced the support it offers to parents and carers within its workforce.
The company has increased maternity and adoption leave to 26 weeks’ fully paid leave. This is up from 12 weeks’ paid leave and a returner’s bonus.
Meanwhile, it has increased paternity leave to eight weeks’ fully paid leave. This can be taken in one-week blocks over the birth or placement of the child. Previously, paternity leave was one week fully paid leave and one week of statutory pay.
Skanska has also extended parental bereavement leave for colleagues affected by miscarriage, providing up to two weeks’ paid leave.
And it has increased dependents leave to up to one week’s paid leave. Previously, dependents leave was not paid (although a manager could use their discretion).
‘Significant enhancements’
Skanska UK executive vice-president Harvey Francis said: “I’m delighted that we’re able to announce these significant enhancements to the support Skanska UK provides for parents and carers.
“We’re providing greater support to all families (including adoptive and LGBTQ+ parents) at the time when they need it most, whatever their circumstances. This furthers our commitment to making Skanska a great place to work.
“Supporting our employees’ family responsibilities with this package of improvements is simply the right thing for us to be doing. We recognise the importance of flexibility for families, and this has been central to our thinking throughout this process.”
Skanska UK’s women’s network lead, Christina Kio-Bennett, added: “These changes support all parents to take time away from work to be with their family at this valuable time. This is an important step forward in our journey to achieve gender equality.”
