Wates Group has committed to creating a more diverse workforce with a complete overhaul of its family friendly policies. 

The firm has announced a number of changes which will see paternity/partner leave increased to eight weeks full pay and maternity leave upped to 26 weeks full pay, and a further 26 weeks Statutory Maternity Pay.

Alongside this, carer's leave will be introduced for the first time to ensure all members of staff can take up to four weeks of unpaid leave in a year. Bereavement leave is set to include two weeks of full pay at this difficult personal time of losing a member of immediate family. 

Wates will also continue to match enhanced entitlement for shared parental leave and adoption leave with maternity leave and pay. 


This comes after Wates announced a three-year partnership with Young Women's Trust earlier this month.

The changes are tangible actions to help the business achieve targets set out in last year in Wates's Diversity and Inclusion plan: #WatesTogether.

David Allen, Chief Executive at Wates Group, commented: "To be truly fit for the future and to continue to succeed, we need to become a more progressive and inclusive organisation. So, we want to give all our people the flexibility and support they need to thrive in the workplace and at home. These new policies will help us do just that. They provide support for everyone at all stages of their working lives and are tangible evidence of our commitment to being a flexible and responsible employer and to investing in all the members of our tremendous team."

Nikunj Upadhyay, Group Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Wates Group, added: "Surveys of parents in the workplace indicate that men want to be more present for their children and elderly parents, but that current public policy, perceived expectations and organisational practices are barriers to this desire. We also know that one of the biggest reasons for gender pay gap is that women tend to spend more time out of work in their careers due to caring responsibilities. 

"Family friendly policies enable more equal sharing of work. These changes reflect the needs of modern families and will help us develop a diverse environment where everyone is welcomed, included and connected."

(CM/MH)