Additional parental leave at Southwark
Parents of premature babies have been given extra leave by a south London council.
Southwark Council has taken the proactive step to support employees who are parents of babies born prematurely by signing up to the Employer with a Heart charter from charity The Smallest Things.
The new policy means parents of babies born at or before 37 weeks will be entitled to receive an extra week’s Premature Baby Leave and Premature Baby Pay for every week their premature baby spends in hospital before their due date. The policy came into effect on 1 September.
Unions have welcomed the move. UNISON said: “In response to representation from the trade union UNISON, the council determined to review its maternity leave policy in respect of the Small Things Matter Campaign.”
Earlier this year, Waltham Forest Council in the east of London became what was thought to be the first UK employer to offer such a policy.