Family Friendly HR | Lidl doubles its paid time off for maternity & adoption leave

Lidl GB has become the first supermarket to introduce 28 weeks full pay for colleagues on maternity or adoption leave, doubling its current offering to employees.

From January 1st 2024, the discount supermarket will increase its paid Maternity and Adoption Leave, with colleagues now benefiting from over six months of full-pay, up from 14 weeks. The company says the move will not only support parents, but also set a new benchmark for others in the industry to follow.

As part of a raft of new employment benefits, Lidl has also announced that it will be introducing paid leave for those undergoing fertility treatment, entitling colleagues to two full days of paid leave per treatment cycle, with no limit to the number of cycles within which a colleague can avail of the policy.

Meanwhile, recognising the significant impact of pregnancy loss, bosses have also introduced five days of paid leave for anyone affected by pregnancy loss prior to 24 weeks, inclusive of partners.