Fashion retailer Penneys will top up statutory maternity pay for the first time as part of a new range of family benefits for its workforce, it said on Friday.
Maternity, paternity, adoption and surrogacy supports will be available to more than 5,000 workers at its 38 stores in the Republic, according to the company, which is owned by food processing and retail company Associated British Foods.
The retailer, known as Primark outside the Republic, said the move would ensure that Penneys “offers an inclusive environment” for its employees.
The new supports apply to workers with one year of continuous service. For qualifying workers on maternity leave, Penneys will now pay 50 per cent of the difference between an employee’s base pay and their statutory entitlements for a period of up to 26 weeks.
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Workers on paternity leave will be paid half of the difference between their base pay and any statutory payments they are entitled to for up to two weeks.
Those expecting a baby through surrogacy or adoption will be able to take 24 weeks of ordinary leave and up to an extra 16 weeks of additional unpaid leave, the company said. While there are no statutory entitlements for those welcoming a baby through surrogacy, Penneys will pay 50 per cent of their base weekly salary for the first 24 weeks.
Penneys workers have since 2022 been able to take an additional five days of paid leave per year if they are undergoing medical fertility treatment.
The retailer also said it was committed to supporting employees who experience a pregnancy loss – whether this happens directly to them, their partner or their baby’s surrogate – through up to 10 days of paid leave in the event of a loss before the 24th week of pregnancy or full maternity and/or paternity leave in the event of a loss after 24 weeks.
“We are equally conscious that not everyone’s family journey is the same and people are not always successful on their journey to parenthood,” said Michelle Whelan, head of people and culture at Penneys. “Given the amount of people who encounter challenges with fertility, we also have a range of supports in place to support them during what can be a very stressful time.
“While we are proud of the steps we are taking, we know that we are on a journey, and remain committed to continuing to listen and evolve our support for colleagues and their families.”
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