German chain Lidl will become the first supermarket in Britain to offer 28 weeks of full pay for colleagues on maternity or adoption leave from 1 January 2024.
Under the new policy, the Schwarz retail group-owned discounter has effectively doubled its paid maternity benefits.
Lidl also announced that it will be introducing paid leave for those undergoing fertility treatment, entitling 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 themselves of the policy.
The group has also introduced five days of paid leave for anyone affected by pregnancy loss prior to 24 weeks, inclusive of partners.
Stephanie Rogers, chief human resources officer at Lidl GB, said: "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 introducing menopause-friendly measures, said Rogers.
Lidl has 376,000 employees globally across 12,200 stores and more than 220 logistics centres and warehouses in 31 countries.