Diageo begins global roll-out of ambitious maternity and paternity leave policy

Diageo begins global roll-out of ambitious maternity and paternity leave policy

23 May 2019

Diageo to offer a global minimum of 26 weeks fully paid maternity leave and sets global minimum standard for fully paid paternity leave

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Diageo today announces that it is beginning a global roll-out of an ambitious new family leave policy applicable to employees across its business, as part of its leading work to create a fully inclusive and diverse workforce. The business hopes the policy will support employees to focus on the joy of raising a young family, while continuing to thrive at work, and ensuring women and men are supported to have time with their new baby regardless of where they live and work.

The new global policy offers female employees in all markets a minimum of 26 weeks of fully paid maternity leave.

Diageo is also setting a global minimum standard of four weeks paternity leave on full rate of pay in all markets, with a significant number of Diageo’s businesses moving to 26 weeks fully paid paternity leave including North America, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Spain, Netherlands, Ireland, Italy, Russia, Colombia, Venezuela, and Australia amongst others.

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We are committed to creating a fully inclusive and diverse workforce and we strongly believe that businesses play a significant role in shaping the future of society. Global businesses like Diageo must make bold moves on policies and the environments in which their employees work to ensure that the progress people deserve happens.

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Mairéad Nayager

Chief HR Officer

Our aim is to make Diageo a great place to work in India, one that is inclusive and progressive. We know that flexibility at work is proven to create happier, more loyal and more productive workforces. Today’s announcement is about matching ambition with action and supporting all of our colleagues to experience the joys of parenthood, while continuing to thrive at work and achieve their true potential.

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Aarif Aziz

Chief HR Officer, Diageo India

The new policy will go live in most countries at the start of Diageo’s new financial year, from the 1st July 2019, with further countries to implement the policy over the course of the year. The full details of each country-specific policy, application to non-wholly owned subsidiaries, and the timing of its roll-out will be shared in due course and is subject to local legal, board, and regulatory requirements.

Diageo’s commitment to creating an inclusive and diverse working environment has been recognised by the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index in 2019. In 2018 Diageo was named by Thomson Reuters as the 4th most inclusive and diverse company in the world. 40% of Diageo’s Executive Committee and 44% of Diageo’s Board are women.

Watch a video about one of our employees sharing his experience of paternity leave:

Video

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