Recently, we carried out an exercise to benchmark Maternity Policies of our member businesses as one of our first steps to address gender equity as a Coalition.
We discovered that the range of benefits and the coverage of these policies varied. Some members offer Statutory Maternity Pay whilst others offer 25 weeks of fully paid leave.
Some policies only cover ‘Maternity leave’, whilst another is a full family-friendly policy covering leave for Maternity, Paternity, Parental, Adoption, Dependents, Carers and time off for Fertility Treatment in one policy.
Our Coalition members have pledged to drive the recruitment, retention and progression of under-represented groups. Therefore, we have recommended that they:
- Consider enhancing their maternity pay offering. According to Bright Horizon’s 2023 research, 72% of employers in the UK offer enhanced maternity pay. The same research reveals that enhanced maternity pay and benefits help with attraction and retention.
- Ensure Maternity Policies as a minimum cover support for pregnancy loss, extended adoption and surrogacy leave and paid time off for fertility treatment.
- Review the wording of policies to ensure that they are both gender and family-role inclusive, support phased returns and offer flexible working.
Developing and sharing resources from within and beyond the construction industry is one of our Built on Better Pledge commitments. We vow to do more sharing as we grow and develop as a Coalition as we are committed to improving equity, diversity and inclusion across the construction industry. “A rising tide lifts all boats”.
If you want to be part of the rising tide, please get in touch here.
