SAGA, the over 50s insurance and holiday firm, has become the first major UK company to offer workers paid grandparents leave.
The new policy will give staff a week of time off to celebrate the birth of their grandchildren.
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Saga said it made the decision due to the importance of experience in the workplace, and to acknowledge the role of grandparents in their families and society.
The grandchildren of all Saga staff will also now have access to its onsite nursery.
It comes after the firm’s research showed that a quarter of working grandparents find it “difficult” to balance work with childcare commitments.
Jane Storm, chief people officer at Saga, said: “This is about helping new grandparents celebrate a special moment and play a role in their growing families from day one.
“And it’s also a symbol of how important older workers are to their companies and to society.
“Working life is getting longer, but the first question many people over 50 still hear is ‘when are you going to retire?’. We want to change that mindset and show that age is no barrier to continued professional success.”
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What are my rights to time off as a grandparent?
The government previously proposed introducing a rule that would allow grandparents to share leave with their children but it was later scrapped.
Grandparents are not typically allowed leave when their grandchildren are born, but there are other ways to get time off for childcare.
As an employee you’re allowed time off to deal with an emergency involving a dependant – which could be your grandchild if they live with you or depend on you for care.
You’re allowed a reasonable amount of time off to deal with the emergency, but there’s no set amount of time as it depends on the situation.
An emergency is classified as illness, injury or assault or if a child minder or carer doesn’t turn up.
It could also include a nursery closing, or if your dependant is involved in a fight, injured in a school trip or suspended from school
It doesn’t apply to planned events so you might have to take annual leave in those instances.
If you’re not sure what the rules are at your work you should contact the HR department.
Grandparents could be missing out on £2,675 a year state pension boost – find out how to claim.
One grandmother said she lost out on £800 due to a child benefit loophole.
If you claim the state pension you’ll be entitled to a Christmas bonus this year.
I’m a grandma at 50 but look way younger – people think I’m in my twenties and say my daughters look older than me
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