BT announces record return-to-work rate after pregnancy

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

BT announces record return-to-work rate after pregnancy

BT has announced that 99 percent of women return to work at the company after maternity leave. This is more than twice the national average figure of 47 percent. BT directly attributes this success to its best practice policy on home working and its flexible approach to work.

The company offers its female employees the opportunity to take up to a year's paid maternity leave and a range of flexible working arrangements following the birth of their child. This allows mothers to meet the demands of their job while spending as much time as possible with their child.

Fathers can also take two weeks' paid and two weeks' unpaid paternity leave as well as having the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of working flexibly.

Caroline Waters, director of BT People and Policy, says: “The return-to-work rate is outstanding for a company of our size. Supporting the parents in your workforce isn't difficult, disruptive or expensive, it's just plain business sense. Just a small change in working patterns combined with an attractive maternity package has enabled us to retain the skills of 99 percent of our working mums, saving costs and ensuring that the diversity of the BT workforce continues to grow.”

Exchanging their BT salary for childcare provision can cut parents' costs by up to 30 percent. The company offers discounts negotiated with leading nursery providers.

10,000 BT people are currently homeworkers, with many others taking advantage of the range of flexible working options available, such as term-time working, job sharing and part-time working. The company encourages all employees, and in particular new parents, to use its flexible working policies to support their work-life balance.

Blogged on 10:29 AM by Upay

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