London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) today announced a significant enhancement to its parental leave policy, establishing a new global benchmark of 26 weeks fully paid leave. This move reinforces the company’s commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) by fostering a supportive environment for employees at key life moments.
Effective July 1, 2024, all LSEG employees with over 12 months of service will be eligible for 26 weeks of paid leave upon welcoming a child, regardless of their gender, parental path, or location. This equal opportunity policy empowers all LSEG parents to actively participate in childcare responsibilities. Meanwhile regions with local laws offering more than 26 weeks of paid leave will continue to honour those provisions.
The enhanced programme further includes an eight-week phased return-to-work option, allowing employees to gradually transition back while working 80 per cent of their regular hours at full pay. Additionally, LSEG recognises the unique needs of families with newborns requiring neonatal care by introducing expanded leave provisions in such cases. Alongside the enhanced parental leave policy, LSEG introduced neonatal care leave. This initiative offers up to 12 weeks of additional leave for cases where newborns require extra medical attention within the first 28 days after birth, regardless of prematurity.
“We’re thrilled to roll out these offerings, underscoring our commitment to building a truly inclusive workplace,” said Erica Bourne, chief people officer, LSEG. “Our new global parental leave policy fosters shared parental responsibility and promotes gender equity within our industry. We remain dedicated to introducing benefits that drive inclusion, enhance the employee experience, and empower our colleagues to thrive.”
Recognising the critical role of supporting employees during life-changing events like welcoming a child, LSEG emphasises its commitment to providing a supportive environment. This enhanced global parental leave policy empowers employees to effectively balance their professional and family responsibilities, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and productive workforce.
LSEG employs 23,000 people globally, with over half based in Asia Pacific.