Image Border - Irish Business and employers confederation

6.3.2 Measures
Penguin measures to ensure that parents get as much time
with their children as possible include:
30 days annual holiday leave
extra time off for new mothers
four weeks paid paternity leave for new fathers over the
first four years of a child's life
up to 15 days compassionate leave for days when
children or their carers get sick
positive approach to all requests for part-time work and
flexi-time work whenever feasible
6-month career break available for family or
developmental reasons
pay up to £95 per month childcare allowance towards
the cost of pre-school children
children of staff get invited to parties and book
launches
6.3.3 Benefits to Employer
Retains valuable employees
Retains staff who are very determined - employees
complete an average of 5 years service
Low level of absenteeism (1.6%)
High level of satisfaction with the employer's approach
to work-life balance
Positive external publicity about their work ethos
99% of women return to work after maternity leave
engaged in manufacturing. The European Board targets a 5%
improvement in employee satisfaction every 2 years. Sites
develop their own action plans to achieve this objective.
6.4.2 Measures
The overall approach is to be open and approachable to
employees and to meet individual as well as business needs.
Management is happy to accommodate changes in working
hours where possible and staff are encouraged to discuss
requests to work flexible hours with HR.
The company has provided an on-site child co-ordinator two
days per week to help employees find suitable childcare. The
childcare co-ordinator also maintains a childminding network
and helps parents find places in local nurseries. The company
subsidises children while they are with childminders and
retains a place for a parent returning from maternity leave.
The company also covers the cost of childminders' insurance,
membership of the National Childminding Association and
training courses.
The company also makes a contribution to a play-scheme for
school-age children which operates during all holiday periods.
The play-scheme, which is open to all employees and on-site
contractors at Elida Faberge is run in partnership with other
local employers including Agfa Gaevert and West Yorkshire
Police.
6.4.3 Benefits to Employer
6.3.4 Benefits to Employees
Staff know they can leave to have a child and there will
be support and a job for them when they get back
6.4 Elida Faberge Ltd (UK)
6.4.1 Background
Elida Faberge, based in Leeds, is part of a European business
Retain valued member of the workforce
Speeding the process of staff returning to work after
maternity
6.4.4 Benefits to Employees
Subsidised childcare
Priority in local nurseries given to children referred from
employees at Elida Faberge
Ease identifying quality childcare
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