The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)

Aviva unveils generous parental leave scheme

One of Perthshire’s biggest employers offering staff half a year of fully paid leave

- Kirsty mcintosh

New parents at one of Perthshire’s largest employers are to be given half a year of fully paid parental leave.

The “ground breaking” policy has been introduced at insurance giant Aviva and covers all new parents, regardless of gender or the manner of becoming a parent including adoption or surrogacy.

It is believed to be one of the most generous schemes in the UK.

The firm says the move will “create a level playing field for men and women”, while ensuring there are no disadvanta­ges in career progressio­n.

If both parents are employed by Aviva, which has 1,000 staff in its Perth base, there is no requiremen­t for them to share the leave period.

Mark Wilson, group chief executive officer at Aviva, said: “I want to live in a world where the only criteria for success is someone’s talent, not their gender.”

Perth-based insurance giant Aviva has announced a “ground-breaking” parental leave package for new mothers and fathers

All 16,000 UK employees of the company will be entitled to 26 weeks off on full pay, regardless of their gender or sexual orientatio­n.

The leave will be available regardless of how they become parents, whether through birth, adoption or surrogacy.

If both parents are employees of Aviva, they will each have their own entitlemen­t to leave and pay, which they can take at the same time.

Previously the firm, which has 1,000 employees based in Perth, had allowed 18 weeks of maternity and adoption leave at full pay, but just two weeks for new fathers.

The firm said the move would help remove barriers to career progressio­n while creating equality in the workforce.

Mark Wilson, group chief executive officer at Aviva, said: “I want to live in a world where the only criteria for success is someone’s talent, not their gender.

“Treating parents equally will help make this happen. We want Aviva to be a progressiv­e, inclusive, welcoming place to work.

“It’s good for our people and it’s also good business sense.”

Sarah Morris, Aviva’s chief people officer, added: “We think this is one of the most ground-breaking, family-friendly policies offered by any employer.

“It’s time to equalise parental leave and create a level playing field for men and women who want to take time out from their career to spend with their family.

“This will transform the first year of parenthood for many families, giving them the opportunit­y to spend precious time together. It’s one of our commitment­s to build a more inclusive and diverse culture at Aviva.”

The move was also praised by local MSP Murdo Fraser, who said: “This is a welcome announceme­nt from Aviva, which now boasts one of the most competitiv­e maternity/paternity packages anywhere in the world.

“Ensuring that both men and women have equal opportunit­y to time off following the birth of a child is important and it would be good to see other companies take Aviva’s lead.”

 ?? Picture: Kris Miller. ?? April and Stefan Morkis with new arrival Georgia Violet. Stefan says Aviva’s new leave policy will help families spend time together adapting to the new member of their family.
Picture: Kris Miller. April and Stefan Morkis with new arrival Georgia Violet. Stefan says Aviva’s new leave policy will help families spend time together adapting to the new member of their family.

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