Imagine taking a lifestyle leave of up to 12 months in order to pursue activities such as travelling and volunteering … if you’re a Direct Line Group employee, then that’s among the company-wide benefits you get to enjoy starting today.
Announcing the launch of new policies for its workforce, Direct Line Group said they were developed to provide staff with support and flexibility. The lifestyle break, for instance, may be used for re-training or extending maternity leave.
Other benefits include shared parental leave, which affords co-parents 20 weeks full pay, as well as expansion of the parental leave to include carers and grandparents. Recognising the increasing reliance on wider family responsibilities, the insurance group now offers up to four weeks unpaid leave per child, grandchild, relative, or someone close in need of support.
Maternity/adoption leave, on the other hand, features up to 32 weeks maternity pay – that’s 20 weeks full maternity pay plus up to a further 12 weeks full pay as part of a phased return, which the Bromley-headquartered firm said is aimed at offering maximum support to enable employees to transition back into work at a pace which suits them and their family.
“At Direct Line Group we encourage our people to bring all of themselves to work, and we are very proud of the diverse and inclusive culture this has created,” commented HR director Simon Linares. “That’s why we’ve designed a set of new policies which offer all our people, whether they be mothers, fathers, grandparents, carers, or those looking to pursue a dream or a new challenge, the flexibility and support at work to do the things that matter to them outside of work.
“We know that successful businesses are the ones that offer greater flexibility and take meaningful steps to help people achieve this. I’m sure that this package will make a real difference to many of our people.”
Known for brands including Direct Line, Churchill, and Privilege, the insurance group employs approximately 10,000 people.
