Unlimited compassionate leave for energy firm staff

BRISTOL-BASED Energy supplier Ovo has announced plans to give its employees unlimited compassionate leave on full pay.

The company, which was founded by billionaire tycoon Stephen Fitzpatrick, is also offering its 4,500-strong workforce as much time off as they need for pregnancy-related loss, including failed IVF attempts.

Other new benefits include a “moments that matter” policy, meaning employees can take paid days off for important life events, such as getting married or a child’s first day of school, and extra “recharge leave”, which will be granted after “intense periods”.

Ovo said it introduced the policies after a survey of staff who had recently taken compassionate leave showed a third (34%) felt guilty about taking too much time off because of work pressures.

Businesses are not required by law to offer compassionate or pregnancy loss leave.

Charlotte Eaton, chief people officer at Ovo, said: “Grief is experienced differently from person to person, so we feel strongly that we shouldn’t be prescriptive when it comes to compassionate leave, or leave for pregnancy loss.

“We hope the offer of unlimited leave in both instances will allow individuals to recharge before returning to work with full support.”

Ms Eaton said the last few years had been “extremely difficult” and the pandemic had made people reassess their priorities.

“Family time and space to reflect is crucial to overall well being, so we hope the flexible working policy and recharge leave will be equally welcomed by our people,” she added.

Raman Bhatia, chief executive of Ovo, said: “At Ovo, it is our people who are at the heart of the business. Our people offer demonstrates our commitment to prioritising the health and wellness of our people, leading the way to support our teams when they need us most.”

The announcement comes just days after the energy supplier joined calls for a social tariff to help households grappling with record energy bills.

The mounting cost of the government’s energy support schemes and soaring debt interest pushed state borrowing to another record in December as soaring inflation and power bills took their toll.

Last month, Ovo halted forced prepayment meter installations over the Christmas period to help customers through the cost-of-living crisis.

Campaigners have been calling for a ban on compulsory prepayment meter installations, which are made under court warrants.