New ‘family matters’ policies for colleagues announced by bank

Bank of Ireland Group plc has announced a range of both new and enhanced family friendly policies and supports. Launched to 9,000 colleagues across the Group this week – and applicable to all colleagues based in Ireland, UK, EU and US, in line with local legislation – the Bank’s Family Matters initiative will create a more supportive and inclusive environment for colleagues at different life stages.

In developing Family Matters, Bank of Ireland reviewed all existing HR policies to identify new benefits which would best support colleagues The measures include leave entitlements for foster care, early pregnancy loss, fertility treatment and surrogacy. The initiative also includes enhanced leave for parents and partners as well as extended breastfeeding breaks. The Bank has launched an informative Family Matters Handbook illustrating all key supports and benefits available, whatever the colleagues’ journey.

The new benefits include:

• Seven weeks top up of parents leave for parents in the first two years (ROI)
• Seven weeks top up of shared parental leave in first year (UK)
• Now 13 weeks’ paid leave for partners, when coupled with paternity leave enhancements adopted in 2022.
• New provision for foster care leave.
• Ten days’ leave for colleagues undergoing fertility treatments.
• Surrogacy leave has now been formalised to match adoptive leave entitlements.
• Early pregnancy leave for the loss of a baby under 24 weeks’ gestation, available to all colleagues.
• Extended breastfeeding breaks for parents with a child up to two-years of age.

Myles O’Grady, Group CEO, Bank of Ireland said: As one of the largest employers in Ireland, we want to build a progressive workplace and contribute to a progressive society. This is also important for our business which competes hard to attract and retain the talent we need to serve our customers, support growing businesses, and also grow as a company.”