Traveltek improves parental leave for more 'inclusive future' in travel tech industry

Firm wants to make it so that 'everyone can thrive'

Cruise technology specialist Traveltek has unveiled significant enhancements to its parental leave policies. 

The new enhancements are designed to foster an inclusive workplace where "everyone can thrive". 

Recognising these policies' pivotal role in supporting gender equality in the tech and travel sector, Traveltek wants to lead from the front, by example.

Recent research from Womentech.net found the importance of robust parental leave policies in supporting women in tech. 

These policies are said to not only help attract and retain top talent but also contribute to a more equitable workplace environment. 

Offering extended maternity and paternity leave while also providing the needed support upon returning to work empowers employees to balance their professional aspirations with their personal responsibilities.

The step taken by Traveltek goes beyond compliance and its hoped that it reflects its "commitment" to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

It's rolled out expanded our maternity leave to 26 weeks full pay, followed by a further 6 weeks at 50%. 

Paternity leave has also been improved with it now doubled to 2 weeks full pay which can be taken with flexibility within the first 12 months. 

Cressida Sergeant, chief commercial officer of Traveltek, said: “I recognise this change has taken longer than it should have done to implement. However, I also wanted to be in a position that when we made the change, it was meaningful. 

"During this research process, I’ve been shocked by the lack of data on enhanced maternity benefits. But what I do recognise is that it takes women to fight for these changes and male colleagues to support the need for change. 

"For every company that has an ESG agenda, this needs to be more than a bullet point, it needs to be an opportunity to do the right and level the playing field."