SThree trials ‘extra flexi-time’ for new parents
22 April 2016
In a move no doubt welcomed by new parents, professional recruiter SThree is trialling an ‘extra flexi-time’ initiative that will allow employees, who have recently become fathers, to come in an hour later in the morning or leave an hour earlier in the afternoon to support family life.
Fri, 29 April 2016 | By Dee Dee Doke
The initiative is an extension of the company’s ‘maternity buddy’ programme, launched globally in 2013 as part of an ongoing commitment to develop a more family-friendly culture at SThree, well-known for its hard-driving approach to recruitment.
Managed by the company’s HR department, the buddy scheme matches up expectant mothers – who are either to give birth or who are adopting a child – with colleagues who have gone through the experience.
“The expectant mothers get practical tips from other working mums about balancing family with workload, setting personal and professional goals, and organising childcare,” SThree HR group diversity manager Victoria Morgan told Recruiter.
In 2015, 84% of SThree women who had taken maternity leave in 2014 returned to work, Morgan said. Those who took maternity leave and returned to work included four in senior roles, such as associate partners, and a business manager and senior business manager. About 20 women have been involved in the programme so far.
Asked if any challenges had arisen in the programme to date, Morgan said: “In some regions, there have been no mothers, as the workforce population initially was quite young. This has meant that in some areas, matching people has been difficult, due to the time zones.”
DEE DEE DOKE
FROM MAY'S RECRUITER MAGAZINE
In a move no doubt welcomed by new parents, professional recruiter SThree is trialling an ‘extra flexi-time’ initiative that will allow employees, who have recently become fathers, to come in an hour later in the morning or leave an hour earlier in the afternoon to support family life.
Currently offered in the UK only, the extra flexi-time is available for the first six weeks after the employees become fathers, a company spokeswoman told Recruiter.The initiative is an extension of the company’s ‘maternity buddy’ programme, launched globally in 2013 as part of an ongoing commitment to develop a more family-friendly culture at SThree, well-known for its hard-driving approach to recruitment.
Managed by the company’s HR department, the buddy scheme matches up expectant mothers – who are either to give birth or who are adopting a child – with colleagues who have gone through the experience.
“The expectant mothers get practical tips from other working mums about balancing family with workload, setting personal and professional goals, and organising childcare,” SThree HR group diversity manager Victoria Morgan told Recruiter.
In 2015, 84% of SThree women who had taken maternity leave in 2014 returned to work, Morgan said. Those who took maternity leave and returned to work included four in senior roles, such as associate partners, and a business manager and senior business manager. About 20 women have been involved in the programme so far.
Asked if any challenges had arisen in the programme to date, Morgan said: “In some regions, there have been no mothers, as the workforce population initially was quite young. This has meant that in some areas, matching people has been difficult, due to the time zones.”
DEE DEE DOKE
