National property services group LRG has introduced its Enhanced Neonatal Care Leave Policy, in a move it describes as “strengthening the company’s commitment to family-friendly policies.”

This month the government implemented the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023, which allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave to care for a baby in neonatal care.

LRG has introduced a policy that not only meets but exceeds the statutory government offering.

For employees with at least three years of service, it offers full pay for up to 12 weeks. It says this is “a significant enhancement compared to the government’s statutory pay baseline.” The group says it also provides additional internal support services and more flexible leave options.

HR director Hannah Cooper says: “While neonatal care may not affect a large number of our employees, we recognise the immense stress it causes for those who are impacted. A real benefit of our enhanced policy is that parents can rest assured knowing that time spent in hospital won’t be taken from their maternity or paternity leave, as this time off will be granted in addition to those entitlements. For eligible employees, receiving full pay helps relieve some of the financial pressure during what is already a deeply emotional and traumatic period.”

Brands which make up LRG, to which this benefit applies, include Bode Insurance Solutions, Boyer, Dunlop Heywood, Gibbs Gillespie, Glide, Hose Rhodes Dickson, Leaders, Moginie James, Mortgage Scout, Portico, Romans, Scott Fraser, SOWN and Three Sixty Space and The Acorn Group, which includes Langford Russell, John Payne, Unique Homes, Start Financial Services and MAP Chartered Surveyors.