Case Study: Women Returners - Hammonds

60% of Hammonds workforce is female, the majority at senior level As the company has invested considerably in their career paths, they are keen to retain as many of them as possible and so have tailored their employment packages to ensure that they meet employee needs.

Hammond’s family friendly policies include:

• Up to 5 paid days off for fertility treatment
• Up to 18 weeks full pay for maternity leave
• All returners have the option of a staged return to work on full pay
• A company gift on the birth of each child
• In addition to keeping in touch days, regular maternity letters provide an opportunity to advise on any new vacancies or promotional opportunities
• Flexible working is actively promoted and employees on maternity leave are encouraged to consider their options at an early stage

Other benefits include child care vouchers, extended private medical and dental insurance, and health care plans for the whole family

The company aims to maintain a high maternity return rate and a high proportion of women in employment. It is looking at other measures to enhance the package, eg, distance learning for employees on maternity leave.