The firm is also implementing a new housing finance support benefit
New parents are now entitled to six months' fully paid parental leave at UK top-100 firm Foot Anstey, reported the Law Society Gazette.
This is an upgrade from the firm's previous policy, which granted two months' fully paid leave for parental leaves that weren't adoption, maternity, and surrogacy leaves. Under the old policy, only those on adoption, maternity, and surrogacy leaves were granted full pay for six months.
The move is expected to help bolster the firm's talent retention objective. Improving family support is In line with the firm's "family forming" package supporting expecting families, Foot Anstey said.
The package also includes reproductive healthcare support access, neonatal support and pay during pregnancy, a "parental returners hub", and a "back-up care" offering, according to the Gazette. The firm is also implementing a new mortgage support benefit that offers employees access to independent mortgage advisers in a one-to-one setting.
In a statement published by the Gazette, Foot Anstey said it hoped that the new and revised policies would "place the firm in a strong position to attract and retain talented individuals who are able to support the firm’s ambitious growth plans."
Last September, the firm committed to donating one percent of its net profits to charity. Over 2023-2024, the firm recorded a turnover of over £67 million and a net profit of £6.15 million.
The pledge would be plugged into Foot Anstey's responsible business program, which backs sustainability, community, and charity initiatives. It would also bolster The Foot Anstey Foundation, which provides grants to charities and community groups.
The donation would be applied towards matching employee fundraisers for good causes, according to the Gazette. As of September 2024, the firm had made a £50,000 donation to YHA (England and Wales), which offers accommodation to young people and families experiencing adversity. The pledge helped provide 250 spaces on YHA's breaks program, which granted access to travel for groups of youth requiring support.
