Severn Trent has announced it will be extending its maternity or adoption paid leave to 46 weeks – nearly tripling the amount of leave previously offered.

It now means when annual leave and bank holidays are included, those on maternity and adoption leave at Severn Trent can take a whole year off fully paid.

The changes that come into effect from April this year, will mean Severn Trent is believed to be the first UK water and waste company to have such a generous policy, that allows colleagues up to year off with full pay.  Making it one of the leading maternity and adoption policies in the industry, FTSE 100 and UK.*
Neil Morrison, HR Director at Severn Trent. "We hope that this change will provide greater financial security and peace of mind to our colleagues as they go through one of the biggest changes of their lives. We want to see our colleagues thrive – professionally and personally – and we hope this new support is going to be a massive help with that. We've engaged closely with our colleagues to see how we can better support those balancing work and family life, and while there’s always more to do, this is one change that will have huge benefits.” 

Danielle Cherry, who heads up the Women in STEM and Ops Advisory Group said: “It's brilliant to see these policies updated. As well as supporting colleagues, it's also a brilliant step forward when it comes to attracting and retaining talent – which means a more diverse and inclusive environment across all areas of our business. We're delighted that we now have one of the leading maternity and adoption leave policies in the UK."

Severn Trent has also created a case study of the maternity policy, speaking with expectant mother Sophia Bradley who’s about to go on maternity and will benefit from the new policy.

Severn Trent, Laboratory scientist, Sophia Bradley said: “When I first heard that the new maternity policy gives colleagues a whole year of leave on full pay I was really pleased. I had heard that changes were being made to the policy, but I never imagined it would be so generous, I was honestly speechless and so excited I couldn’t wait to tell my partner. I feel incredible lucky to work for a company that recognises the difference this will make to mine, and so many other colleagues and their families.  It will completely change my first year of motherhood. I will now be able to spend a whole year with my little girl, which is something we just couldn’t have afforded before.”

Read more about the new policy, and Sophia’s story over at Careers | Severn Trent Plc

* FTSE100 companies ranked by parental leave offer – 2024 – Dearbump