Law firm McCann FitzGerald LLP has announced new and extended policies to support the families of its 600 staff in Ireland.

The firm says that the policies extend its existing supports for maternity, paternity and compassionate leave and introduce new supports for those undergoing fertility treatment or those affected by pregnancy loss.

The changes take effect immediately.

Phased return

They include:

• An increase in fully paid paternity leave from two weeks to eight weeks,
• The introduction of a phased return from maternity leave, where employees can avail of a three-day working week, increasing to five days over a four-week period, without any impact on salary or annual leave,
• Fee-earning employees returning from maternity leave will have reduced target chargeable hours on their return,
• The introduction of paid fertility leave for up to ten days in any one year to support both people undergoing fertility treatment, and those who are supporting partners undergoing treatment, and
• New supports — including paid leave for employees impacted by pregnancy loss.

Stephen Holst (managing partner, pictured) said that McCann FitzGerald was aiming to create “a more progressive environment”, in which everyone working at the firm felt supported in their work and personal lives.