The largest privately held managed pub operator in the UK implements a generous new fertility treatment policy for employees
British hospitality group Stonegate Pub Company has just become the first in its industry to offer employees full-pay leave for fertility treatments. Stonegate, which owns Yates, Be at One, and Slug & Lettuce, recently enhanced their maternity and paternity provisions, becoming the first of its kind to do so.
Stonegate now offers all of its salaried employees 12 weeks full pay, followed by 27 weeks of statutory maternity pay. They now also offer an enhanced paternity allowance of two weeks full pay.
However, the most exciting news is that they will now offer a full-pay package for the time off work needed to undertake fertility treatment, applicable to employees at its head office and pubs
This is a welcome move. With an increasing number of people in the UK undergoing fertility treatments each year, employers are learning that they have to be flexible and compassionate when it comes to this process. Stonegate is setting a strong example to others in their field, and they are sure to attract high quality candidates drawn to this policy.
Parents who have success with their fertility treatments will be pleased to learn about changes to their maternity and adoption leave
The company’s salaried employees will be permitted to return to work in a phased manner after their time away from the job. This means that they can work part time for the four weeks at full pay before returning to work full time; 50% of the hours in the first two weeks, and 75% of their normal hours for the second two weeks.
Expectant mothers are also eligible for four weeks of Company Sick Pay in the four weeks before their maternity leave, enabling them to make more of their time off with the baby when it is born. The company’s area managers are also receiving additional training to help support people who are undergoing fertility treatments. This will come as welcome news to men and women struggling to conceive, as empathy and compassion can feel like they are in short supply at this difficult time.
These measures are all part of a wider wellbeing and wellness strategy across the entire Stonegate brand
As their employee base has increased by 13% since 2017, the company is keen to attract and retain the strongest candidates in the hospitality industry. The company employees more than 14,500 people across the UK.
Stonegate’s director of HR, Tim Painter, says, “This is a significant improvement to the benefits package offered to our team here at Stonegate. These improvements highlight Stonegate’s commitment to recognising and rewarding our people. We understand the value of investing in our people, and ensuring we have a fair and diverse workforce that feels motivated.”
“Enhanced maternity, paternity and fertility leave is just one of a number of initiatives that we have introduced which benefit existing employees, and help us find and attract the right people, encouraging them to build rewarding, long term careers with us – from bar to boardroom.”
What do you think about these new provisions? Does your employer offer time off for fertility treatment or additional time for parenthood or do they give the bare minimum? We would love to hear from you at [email protected]
