AXA UK is set to introduce a new health and wellbeing programme aimed at supporting employees as they move through various life stages.
The ‘We Care’ programme will be launched this month as part of a global initiative developed by the AXA Group. It will include extended support for employees acting as primary or immediate family carers, as well as key changes to enhance AXA UK’s existing domestic abuse policy.
As part of this programme, employees will now be able to use dependent leave if they are a primary carer or if they are in charge of caring for an immediate family member. This leave may be used for both unexpected emergencies and planned appointments, according to an emailed release.
In addition to providing carers support, AXA UK is extending its assistance for employees dealing with difficult family matters.
According to its release, employees who experience a miscarriage up to the 24th week of pregnancy will now receive five days of paid leave. The spouse or partner of an individual in the same situation will likewise receive two days of paid leave.
In cases of stillbirth after the 24th week, this leave will be extended to 16 weeks of full pay, while spouses or partners receive two weeks of full pay.
Furthermore, co-parents will now be eligible for eight weeks of paid leave, which is an increase from the four weeks currently offered by the company.
The We Care programme also enhances the domestic abuse policy that was first introduced by AXA UK in July 2022.
Through the policy, employees experiencing domestic abuse received support through access to resources and five days of paid leave. To expand this, the company will now have a dedicated team trained to assist those in need of help.
Suzanne Scott, chief people and corporate responsibility officer, offered insight on the new program and said the expanded benefits are part of a push to make AXA UK “a place where people love to work.”
“The access to increased paid carer’s leave and co-parent leave, as well as additional support for domestic abuse, are invaluable for the wellbeing of our people in taking care of themselves and their loved ones,” Scott added.
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