Lidl introduces double paid maternity and adoption leave in industry first

By: Trademagazin editor Date: 2023. 12. 20. 09:09

Lidl has become the first supermarket to introduce 28 weeks full pay for colleagues on maternity or adoption leave.

Due to come into effect in January, the new allowance doubles the discount supermarket’s current package of 14 weeks.

The new move, which also sees the introduction of paid leave for both fertility treatment and pregnancy loss, is designed to support parents and set a benchmark for the supermarket sector.

It will be launched alongside a raft of new employment benefits. Colleagues undergoing fertility treatment will be entitled to two full days of leave per treatment cycle, with no limit to the number of cycles that an employee can claim, while five days of paid leave will be offered to anyone affected by pregnancy loss prior to 24 weeks.

In addition to its family-focused updates, Lidl has also extended its compassionate leave policy, increasing paid leave to 5 days.

Other new employee-focused measures by Lidl in recent years include the supermarket giant becoming accredited as a menopause-friendly employer, and introducing initiatives such as a menopause community group to support colleagues affected by symptoms.

Grocery Gazette