RSA enhances paternal leave framework with new initiative

RSA Insurance has announced the introduction of its Equal Parental Leave Policy, a significant addition to its family-friendly initiatives.

The policy will offer an equalised and extended period of leave for all parents, irrespective of gender.

This initiative, effective from Jan. 1, is part of RSA’s comprehensive diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) strategy. It aims to support all employees, challenge traditional gender roles, and encourage parents to participate actively in early childcare.

Under the new policy, every parent with a minimum of six months of service will be entitled to up to 52 weeks of parental leave, with 26 weeks fully paid. This applies to parents with children born or adopted after the specified date.

Additionally, RSA has formed a partnership with From Babies with Love, a social enterprise focused on supporting orphaned and abandoned children through its non-profit parental leave gift service. As part of this collaboration, RSA provides new parents with a “baby box” from From Babies with Love, containing organic and ethically sourced baby clothing, aiding them in the initial weeks of parenthood. This initiative has already assisted more than 26,562 children globally.

RSA DE&I head Gemma Jackson said that this new commitment will further support the families at the insurance group. She stressed that gender should never be a barrier to spending time with newborn children.

“It’s also the latest step in our ambition to be leading in our sector on diversity, equity, and inclusion by 2026. Equal parental leave is known to be a key enabler in improving gender equality in the workplace and contributes to driving down the gender pay gap, which remains a target for improvement across the industry. And so, we hope that this new policy will help to increase opportunities for colleagues and improve equity across the organisation,” Jackson said.

What are your thoughts on this story? Please feel free to share your comments below.