HR UK Bulletin Sept2021

HR UK Bulletin September 2021 Building Better

ARDMAC

changes to leave policies

Dear all I hope you are all keeping well and transitioning back to a “new normal”. It was great to reconnect with many of you as we saw a phased return to the offices during the last few weeks. At Ardmacweare continually reviewingour employee offering to ensure that we have an organisation where everyone feels respected and valued. We have recently reviewed our employee offering and coupled with our hybrid and flexible working policies, we are making some changes which we feel will enhance our culture and wellbeing at work. In this newsletter I want to update you on the changes we are making to some policies and take the opportunity to look forward to some events which we are planning for the months ahead.

From Oct 1st 2021 the following changes to our leave polices will take effect. All changes apply to employees who have two years’ service, for those with less than two years’ service, the terms of our existing policies apply. Sick Leave For employees who must take leave due to illness the following will apply. • Full pay for two months • Half pay for four months. Following six months of continuous absence from work due to illness, an application for permanent health insurance cover will be made.

Yvonne O’Sullivan Director of HR

2

Maternity Leave Female employees are entitled to 52 weeks Statutory Maternity Leave. It’s made up of: • Ordinary Maternity Leave - first 26 weeks • Additional Maternity Leave - last 26 weeks You do not have to take 52 weeks but you must take 2 weeks’ leave after your baby is born. Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid for up to 39 weeks. You get: • 90% of your average weekly earnings (before tax) for the first 6 weeks. • £151.97 or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks. SMP is paid in the same way as your salary, Tax and National Insurance will be deducted. Ardmac will ensure you receive at least up to 75% of your earnings for 20 weeks following the first six weeks of your statutory maternity leave.

Adoptive Leave Nominated adoptive parents are entitled to avail of 52 weeks statutory leave. One person of an adopting couple is eligible for leave as well as a sole adoptive parent. Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid for up to 39 weeks. You get: • 90% of your average weekly earnings (before tax) for the first 6 weeks. • £151.97 or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks. Ardmac will ensure you receive at least up to 75% of your earnings for 18 weeks following the first six weeks of your statutory adoptive leave. Paternity Leave New parents (other than the mother of the child or the nominated adopter) are entitled to a block of two weeks paternity leave following the birth or adoption of a child. Employees can start paternity leave at any time within the first six months following the birth or adoption placement. Full pay will now be made for the two weeks of paternity leave. This payment will be inclusive of National Insurance payments.

3

ARDMAC

Refer a Friend policy In 2020 a total of £5,000 was paid to employees who referred new starters through our Refer a Friend scheme. From Oct 1st 2021 the payment for referring a friend will increase to £1,500, £2,500 or £3,500 depending on the role. All other terms of the existing policy will remain. Healthy Lunches: As the winter approaches and some of us transition from raiding the fridge for lunch to preparing a packed lunch, we wanted to help you on your way. We have organised lunch bags for you to transport your lunch from home to the office or site every day. These will be issued through HR over the coming days through site managers and office staff. To enable you to fill these bags with the healthiest lunches we have organised a virtual cookery demonstration with Fiona from Fiona’s Food for Life on October 14th at 4pm.

Recognition Ardmac wants to recognise the achievements many people attain outside of work, exams passed, qualifications gained, additions to families, marriages and other life events. Please continue to send us the news from your teams and colleagues so we can include these in our Ardmag newsletter and formally recognise these events with a gift or other gesture.

4

Diversity and Inclusion In 2019 Ardmac achieved Bronze level status from the Irish Centre for Diversity and Inclusion, this was the first step in creating a framework for equal opportunities and support for all employees. We are now hoping to move this further to Silver level which will embed our commitment to this area. As part of this process we want to hear from you about how you are experiencing culture within the organisation. A survey will shortly be issued to give you a chance to have your say and for Ardmac to gain an insight into our strengths and focus on areas that require development and attention. Please make sure to complete the survey and give us your views. As you can see, we have been busy on the people front and I hope the news here is good news for all. I will be in touch next month to update you on the framework we have in place for employee development and our plans for Christmas.

Created by Zach Bogart from the Noun Project Building Better through diversity, equality and inclusion

5

Ardmac Manchester 4 Scholar Green Road, Cobra Court,Trafford Park, Manchester M32 0TR, England. T: +44 (0) 161 8668086 [email protected] www.ardmac.com