These changes are part of a range of improvements Sodexo is introducing as part of its ambition to offer a flexible first culture to help all its employees to balance work and personal commitments in a way that suits them.
The new enhanced benefits will see maternity, adoption and paternity pay and leave equalised to offer all employees with the equivalent of 18 weeks full pay. Also included in its plans are new or enhanced leave benefits for a variety of appointments including antenatal IVF, adoption or surrogacy.
Sean Haley, chief executive of Sodexo UK & Ireland, said: “Our colleagues are at the heart of our business, and we remain committed to supporting them as much as we can. We are delighted to launch a wide range of enhanced benefits including for our frontline colleagues.
“It is our ambition that all our colleagues feel they belong to a company where they can act with purpose and thrive in their own way. We know there is a lot of work still to do and we are clear in our goal to create an inclusive and equitable workplace for all.”
Life insurance is also being enhanced for salaried and frontline staff, the minimum level of life assurance will be a lump sum equal to the value of base salary as at date of death.
The organisation is working towards becoming an accredited menopause friendly employer and has joined the endometriosis friendly employer scheme.