Enhanced Paternity Leave Policy at Hodge
Hodge bank has introduced a new paternity leave policy offering fathers, or partners of those expecting a baby, 20 weeks of paid parental leave.
About Hodge
Doing the right thing is what Hodge aims to do in all areas of its business. Both as a lender and a savings bank, Hodge takes a steady and controlled approach to doing business and has been supporting customers since 1965.
Hodge does the right thing regarding social responsibility too. The Hodge Foundation, a charity supporting welfare, medical, academic, and educational areas, owns 79% of its business. This drives the business, as Hodge knows that by helping customers to achieve their goals, it is also helping to further good causes that are important to the business.
Recognising parents as equal partners
In March 2022, Business in the Community (BITC) launched its Who Cares? report which calls on employers to rethink the way paid work and caring responsibilities are combined. The research found more men (22%) than women (15%) did not feel supported by their employers to manage their caring responsibilities. 57% of male respondents also believe that men are less likely to be supported at work with their childcare responsibilities.
As a business we are working towards a true gender balance which means treating parents as equal parties when it comes to raising their family.
Matthew Burton, Deputy CEO, Hodge Bank
What Hodge did
Hodge has introduced a paternity leave policy offering fathers, or partners of those expecting a baby, 20 weeks of paid leave. Hodge made a move to improve its paternity leave policy to reflect its goal of looking after the wellbeing of all staff and to recognise how juggling work and new parenthood can be challenging for both partners.
To make the leave as accessible as possible, any leave taken after the first two weeks following the arrival of a child (‘statutory paternity pay’) can be taken in chunks best suited to the individual – either with a partner or upon that partner’s return to work to ease the transition/childcare costs. Since implementing the new paternity leave policy, Hodge has seen increased employee engagement and seen improved evidence of new fathers properly ‘switching off’ to spend important time with their families.
What next
- Find out more about BITC’s work on Gender
- Learn more about our Advisory services
- Join us for one of our events
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