On Wednesday, Diageo, the world’s largest spirits company, announced a global roll-out of a new family leave policy that will guarantee female employees a minimum of 26 weeks of paid maternity leave.
According to its website, Diageo will also set a minimum policy of four weeks’ paid paternity leave across its global business. A “significant number” of its businesses, however, including its North American brands, will move to 26 weeks’ paid paternity leave, the company says.
The new policy will roll out in “most countries” starting July 1, and the policy should be fully implemented by the end of the year.
“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,” chief HR officer Mairéad Nayager said. “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.”
With operating profits of $4.7 billion in 2018, Diageo should easily be able to afford the added costs that come with this policy. Hats off to them for actually implementing it, though.
