Herbert Smith Freehills unveils enhanced support for parents and carers in the UK

Part of Life@HSF - the firm's approach to delivering a flexible and supportive working environment - the new policies expand the level of support on offer to new parents and carers in the UK, irrespective of gender or role.

Effective from 1st October 2024, the new policies offer:

- neonatal care leave: all parents of premature and full-term babies receiving neonatal care will now be able to take up to 12 weeks leave, at full pay, whilst their child is in hospital
- carer's leave: up to 1 week per 12 month rolling period, at full pay, compared to statutory rights which currently require firms to offer 1 week, unpaid
- co-parent leave: parents will have more time to welcome a new child together, with co-parent leave increased to 12 weeks, at full pay. Parents will also be able to use their leave in either one continuous block or a two-week/ten-week split.

The enhancements add to Herbert Smith Freehills' current parents and carers policies which already entitles new mothers to full pay for the first 24 weeks of maternity leave and adoption leave at full pay, also for the first 24 weeks. Shared parental leave, up to 24 weeks and inclusive of co-parent leave already received, is also available at full pay.

"We value our employees and want to support them in important life events, whether that's becoming a parent or caring for a sick child or relative. Being human and kind doesn't mean compromising on success. By expanding our parents and carers policy, we're reinforcing our commitment to providing both professional and personal support at every stage of our employees' lives," says Alison Brown, executive partner at Herbert Smith Freehills.

For further information on Life@HSF, click here.