Bristol energy company Ovo is to give its 4,500-strong workforce unlimited compassionate leave on full pay, it has announced. The Redcliffe-headquartered supplier, which was founded by billionaire businessman Stephen Fitzpatrick in 2009, is also offering all its staff as much time off as they need for pregnancy related loss, including failed IVF attempts.
The company has introduced the benefits alongside a so-called 'moments that matter' policy, which will allow workers at the firm to take paid days off for important life events, such as getting married or a child’s first day of school. It is also offering employees extra "recharge leave", which will be granted after “intense periods”, it said.
These new workplace benefits were introduced after Ovo carried out a survey of staff who had recently taken compassionate leave and discovered a third (34%) felt guilty about taking too much time off because of work pressures. Businesses are not required by law to offer compassionate or pregnancy loss leave.
