Mamas & Papas, one of the leading nursery brand and high street retailers, has announced a raft of new employment measures to better support its 800-strong workforce.
The company said the new policies were designed to ‘reward the people driving its success’ and ‘promote greater inclusivity’.
The Huddersfield-headquarter company, which operates over 30 stores across the UK, has committed to supporting all new parents with 6 months (26 weeks) of enhanced maternity pay benefit, with the first 13 weeks at full pay and the second 13 weeks at half pay, inclusive of Statutory Maternity Pay. Paternity leave is increased from 2 to 4 weeks, full salary, and colleagues undergoing fertility treatment will receive 5 paid days leave per cycle, throughout unlimited cycles. In the unfortunate event of a pregnancy loss, the company will provide paid leave to impacted employees.
The company will also give more workplace assistance to those experiencing menopause, whilst further developing their managers and colleagues with specific mental health training, providing support both externally via Employee Assistance Programmes and more personal internal occupational health support.
Additional commitments include flexible working for carers, colleagues who are fostering and an extra days holiday for those celebrating weddings and civil ceremonies.
As the company continues to grow, the new people agenda is the first in a number of initiatives the brand will launch in 2022.
Caroline Cording, Group Human Resources Director at Mamas & Papas, said: “Our People agenda serves to reinforce our commitment to our people. We are delighted to be in a position to introduce these enhanced benefits, which promote flexibility, security, a greater work life balance and support when it is needed the most.
She added: “Over the past two years, our business has grown significantly, despite the challenges presented by the pandemic. It’s clear this simply wouldn’t have been possible without the commitment of our store colleagues and head office teams. As we look to further expansion, this is about listening to our colleagues, acknowledging the invaluable role they play and rewarding their loyalty.”
