Laing O’Rourke launches inclusive parental leave policy

Engineering and construction company Laing O’Rourke is launching an equal parenting approach for all staff across the UK and Australia, regardless of how they become a parent.

From October, every employee will have access to six months’ parental leave on full pay. This leave is also available for those who adopt or who become parents through surrogacy.

The policy will be matched by additional benefits in both operating markets, in line with local regulations and requirements. This includes a new pregnancy loss policy that provides paid leave for any employee who has suffered, or whose partner or surrogate has suffered, a loss of pregnancy, effective immediately.

CEO Ray O’Rourke said: “When I joined the industry more than 50 years ago, I saw my own role as the traditional family breadwinner.

“The world is now a very different place, and we value modern and diverse family structures and new opportunities that balance careers and childcare.

“I’ve always been an advocate for innovation and modern methods of construction, and those approaches should not just be in the technical ways we work – but in the ways we recruit, deploy, reward and support our people.

“One thing remains the same as when I became a parent, it’s the most common, most disruptive life event for most of our people – in a good way! So why wouldn’t the business do everything it can to support people fairly during this change.

“No matter who you are or how your family comes about, at Laing O’Rourke we’ll take care of your career while you do what needs to be done at home.”

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