LIDL LEADS SUPERMARKET SECTOR AS IT DOUBLES ITS PAID MATERNITY AND ADOPTION LEAVE

• Lidl GB is doubling full-pay Maternity and Adoption Leave from 14 to 28 weeks, offering the most competitive package across all UK supermarkets
• The discounter has also introduced paid leave for both fertility treatment and pregnancy loss
• This significant investment into paid leave for its colleagues, reinforces Lidl’s commitment to fostering an inclusive culture within the workplace  

20th December 2023: Lidl GB has become the first supermarket to introduce 28 weeks full pay for colleagues on maternity or adoption leave.

From 1st January 2024, the discounter will double paid Maternity and Adoption Leave, with colleagues now benefiting from over six months of full-pay, up from 14 weeks. 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, the discounter has also announced that it will be introducing paid leave for those undergoing fertility treatment. This will entitle 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, Lidl has also introduced five days of paid leave for anyone affected by pregnancy loss prior to 24 weeks, inclusive of partners^*.

Alongside its family-focused updates, Lidl has expanded its Compassionate Leave policy, increasing paid leave to 5 days.

Stephanie Rogers, Chief Human Resources Officer at Lidl GB, said: "We’re deeply committed to supporting our colleagues, not just in their professional lives but also through personal milestones and challenges. Over the past year, we’ve engaged closely with colleagues to see how we can better support those who are balancing work and family life. Whilst there is always more to be done, these latest enhancements to our Family Leave policies show our dedication to fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace and reinforce our ambition to be a first-choice employer."

Lidl is also in the process of becoming accredited as a menopause friendly employer, following the introduction of various measures, including menopause champions across the business and a menopause community group to support colleagues affected by menopause symptoms.  

Job seekers interested in a career a Lidl less ordinary are encouraged to visit Lidl’s careers website to check for vacancies: careers.lidl.co.uk
 

ENDS

All paid leave enhancements are in addition to Lidl GB’s existing sickness policy.

^*Colleagues that experience a pregnancy loss after 24 weeks of pregnancy are entitled to two weeks of paid leave, as outlined in Lidl’s existing Parental Bereavement Leave Policy.

About Lidl GB

Since establishing itself in Great Britain in 1994, Lidl GB has experienced continuous growth and today has over 31,000 employees, over 960 stores and 14 distribution centres in England, Scotland and Wales.

As part of the Schwarz retail group, Lidl is one of Europe’s leading organisations in the food retail industry. The supermarket, which has around 376,000 employees globally, currently operates approximately 12,200 stores and more than 220 logistics centres and warehouses in 31 countries.

The supermarket takes pride in providing its customers with the highest quality products at the lowest possible prices throughout Great Britain, from Kirkwall to the Isle of Wight. Social responsibility and sustainability are at the core of the company's daily operations, with the company placing a strong emphasis on its responsibility for people, society, and the environment. Lidl GB is passionate about working with British producers and sources two thirds of its products from British suppliers.

The Schwarz Group, which operates worldwide as a retail group, generated a turnover of €154.1 billion in the financial year 2022.

For more information about Lidl GB visit https://corporate.lidl.co.uk/