Parental leave

Linklaters is set to allow any U.K. employee whose partner is having a baby, adopting a child or becoming a parent through surrogacy to take 12 weeks of fully paid leave, as the firm joins others in broadening its parental policies.

The new policy will entitle all staff to the period of leave "regardless of gender or gender identity", the firm said in a statement. Staff can take the 12 weeks of paid leave at any time during the first 12 months from the arrival of their child.

It will initially be available only to U.K. employees. Linklaters said in a statement that it will be "assessing the suitability of an enhanced parental support package for its other offices and regions throughout 2020″.

The new policy builds on Linklaters' current U.K. staff parental leave policy, which offers 52 weeks maternity or adoption leave, enhanced maternity/adoption pay of 26 weeks full pay, and 13 weeks at the government statutory rate. 

For shared parental staff leave, it offers enhanced shared parental pay of 26 weeks at full pay and 13 weeks at set government statutory rate. 

Partners can partake in the same terms, though currently are able to take eight weeks of shared parental leave at full pay.

The firm's people committee head Nick Porter said in a statement: "This policy will facilitate and normalise both parents spending more time with their children, which we believe helps to provide the best support for working families. 

"As a father of three who could only take two weeks off each time, I am thrilled that Linklaters is now offering all parents the opportunity to spend more time with their new child."

The firm is the latest to enhance its parental policies.

Ashurst broadened its policies last month, entitling all partners to at least 18 weeks of fully paid primary carer leave – traditionally maternity leave. In countries where the firm offers more generous packages – such as the U.K., which offers 26 weeks – it will remain the same.