Shoosmiths is to revamp and enhance its family-friendly policies from 1 September, benefitting a large proportion of its 1,500-plus employees.
Firstly, the firm is enhancing its co-parent leave package, where those eligible will be able to take up to 12 weeks of co-parent leave at full pay, a gender-neutral replacement for the firm’s previous paternity leave of two weeks with full pay.
This leave can be taken in up to two blocks in the 12 months following the birth or adoption of a child and can also be combined with shared parental leave to create up to 26 weeks of enhanced pay (at 100% pay), subject to meeting the relevant criteria.
Shoosmiths will also partner with Apricity fertility clinics to offer an inclusive pathway to fertility guidance and treatment for colleagues. Employees and partners will have access to a free consultation and discounts to their advertised costs for any subsequent treatment.
These updates complement the firm’s broader suite of policies to support ‘Pathways to Parenthood’, including: enhanced adoption, maternity and shared parental leave up to 26 weeks at full pay; and assisted conception – with paid time off (up to five days per cycle) under the firm’s fertility policy for those undergoing treatment and up to two days’ full pay for those whose partner or surrogate is undergoing treatment in a 12-month period. The firm offers employees paid time off for up to five adoption appointments for named main adopter and up to 10 days off with pay for all employees affected by early pregnancy loss before 24 weeks, regardless of length of service.
The firm has also launched fully funded access to backup care covering child, adult and pet care, partnering with Bright Horizons. Every employee will be entitled to access up to a maximum of five days per year when planned care falls through.
Eleanor Tanner, director of people at Shoosmiths, said:
“By introducing these policies, we are strengthening our overall employee proposition for the benefit of our colleagues and for our future joiners. It is sending a message to the market that if the best talent wishes to join Shoosmiths they will be supported with a generous policy package which has also been developed with inclusivity in mind as part of the firm’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
“We have been able to make these enhancements because of the firm’s overall growth, with the Board choosing to make investments in people as part of the firm’s overall strategy, and we’re looking forward to seeing these policies in practice in September.”
Recently, the firm announced its financial results, delivering a revenue increase of 7% to £194.1m, a net profit increased by more than 3% year-on-year to £62.7m, sustaining a strong PEP of £676,000 (marginally up on last year’s £675,000).
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