Compass Group’s Post

Very cool and much safer than sizing up.

Today we stand at the precipice of a new era, an era marked not just by commercial success but by a profound commitment to the very people who build our businesses from the ground up. In a move that is as bold as it is compassionate, Lidl GB has catapulted itself not just to the forefront of the retail sector but into the annals of progressive corporate leadership. By introducing an astounding 28 weeks of full pay for maternity and adoption leave, they have set a new gold standard, a standard that speaks to more than just numbers on a balance sheet. It speaks to values, to empathy, to an understanding that the strength of a company lies not only in its ability to generate profit but in its capacity to support its people in their most pivotal life moments. This isn't just a policy change - this is a cultural shift. It's a declaration that in the great ledger of life, the well-being of employees is an asset of inestimable value. It's a recognition that when we support parents, we're not just investing in individuals; we're investing in families, in communities, and in the very future of our society. And so, I extend not just congratulations but a heartfelt commendation to Lidl GB. You have not only raised the bar; you have redefined it. And in doing so, you have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the kind of leadership that looks beyond the bottom line, to the horizon of what is truly possible when a company puts its people first. #maternityleave `#paternityleave #hr #hrexcellence

What a great move for the employees who will get to benefit from this policy change. This also demonstrates how they want to support families within the business during such an important time in there lives. I have spoken on the challenges that Family policy's present as well as the challenges of employees returning back to work due to childcare restrictions. The more we improve these type of policies to be more supportive the more I feel it demonstrates the importance the employee plays to the business.

What a great move from Lidl, I feel like many more companies should be following suit. 90% of your wages for the first 6 weeks and then £172.48 a week (£689.92 a month before tax!) for the remaining 33 weeks your maternity leave is not really acceptable in this day and age. The average UK combined household income for 2023 is £35,000 per year. The average monthly mortgage payment for the UK in 2023 is £753.00 The Average monthly household expenditure (bills, food etc) is around £1,400.00 This comes to £25,863.00 a year alone before you factor in cars, insurance, fuel and anything else you might need along with nappies, baby clothes possibly formula etc. Then we take away 50-60% of one half of that households earnings for 7 months and we wonder why more people are relying on the help of charities and foodbanks to survive. We can and should be doing better to support people and allow them to enjoy important time with their child without wondering how they are going to keep the lights on or if they can afford to come back to work. #maternityleave

This is a huge step forwards. I do worry about the impact on education though - we’re seeing support staff leave education jobs due to low pay and term time only contracts. The private sector upping its game on other contractual benefits like maternity leave will have an impact on retention (A TA in with over a year’s service in England would likely get 6 weeks at 90% and then 12 further weeks at 50% plus SMP)

Should businesses support Pet-ernity leave? In the last few days a survey was released saying that, "One in 10 of every so-called dog parents wants to receive 'pet-ernity leave', a benefit similar to maternity or paternity leave that would provide designated leave to care for their pooch, according to a study by Burns Pet Nutrition" As a dog owner (with no children) who sees my beloved Cooper as my child, I was asked yesterday my opinion on this and I have to say I did not agree with it at all. With all the pressures being put on businesses owners with the minimum wage increase coming into effect from the 1st of April, changes to flexible working and so on and so forth how much more can small business owners withstand. I would be interested in your thoughts? #smallbusinessowners #employersrights #employeesrights

For all those interested in Maternity/Paternity benefits and how to support your employees

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German chain Lidl GB will become the first supermarket in Britain to offer 28 weeks of full pay for colleagues on maternity or adoption leave from 1 January 2024. Under the new policy, the Schwarz retail group-owned discounter has effectively doubled its paid maternity benefits. Lidl also announced that it will be introducing paid leave for those undergoing fertility treatment, entitling colleagues to two full days of paid leave per treatment cycle, with no limit to the number of cycles within which a colleague can avail themselves of the policy. The group has also introduced five days of paid leave for anyone affected by pregnancy loss prior to 24 weeks, inclusive of partners. Stephanie Rogers, chief human resources officer at Lidl GB, said: "Over the past year, we’ve engaged closely with colleagues to see how we can better support those who are balancing work and family life. “Whilst there is always more to be done,... More at #Proactive #ProactiveInvestors http://ow.ly/qZjA1056ime

Having a baby can be both exciting and overwhelming. To help better prepare employees for their upcoming maternity leave, we’ve created a checklist to ensure they’re set up for success: https://ow.ly/k77p50Q37uQ