The 2022 Family Friendly Policy introduces menopause awareness activity, bereavement leave in the event of baby loss and an enhanced maternity & paternity leave package. Elior is aiming to break the taboo and raise awareness of the menopause and the impact it can have in the workplace. This is completely inclusive of women, transgender, non-binary and intersex.
The contract caterer’s revitalised Family Friendly Policy also supports any colleague who experiences a miscarriage (prior to 24 weeks of pregnancy) or stillbirth (after 24 weeks of pregnancy). Two weeks fully paid leave is available to all affected colleagues, both male and female, across the company. Raising awareness of this topic is important because it means that colleagues who may have experienced baby loss are able to access the support they need.
Elior has enhanced its maternity and paternity leave packages to encourage new parents to take more time off work to bond with their child and be with their family. This enhancement is also offered to colleagues who take adoption or shared parental leave.
Emma Langford, head of human resources & people development at Elior, said: “Every company should be supporting its workforce in the best way it can. The pandemic has certainly shone a spotlight on wellbeing and this sparks the beginning of a more nurturing era. At Elior, we looked and we listened.
“We took time to understand what the real concerns were, where people were really struggling and addressed these often-taboo issues. I’m thrilled that we are actively doing more to support colleagues going through the menopause and can offer extended emotional and financial support for colleagues grieving a baby loss. Our new Family Friendly Policy means our valued workforce now has more support in the areas that matter most.”
The Colleague Support Programme provides physical, mental and confidential support as well as free and confidential access to counsellors and advisors on-line or by phone.