Glasgow City Council employees with premature and sick babies to get extra paid leave

Staff with premature and sick babies working for Scotland’s biggest council are to get extra paid leave.

Glasgow City Council is preparing to take steps to roll out the additional leave and pay to support employees with premature or full-term unwell babies in hospital.

Parents whose premature babies are in neonatal care will get an extra week of leave at full pay for every week until their child’s official due date, according to a council report.

Council workers with full-term babies who are sick in hospital getting neonatal care “should receive an extra week’s leave at full pay for every week their baby remains in the ward”.

The recommendations due to go in front of councillors on Thursday come ahead of national legislation – the Neonatal Care Act to be rolled out in April 2025.

Glasgow proposals include signing up to the Employer with Heart Charter 2.0, an initiative by the charity The Smallest Things.

A council report said: “Whilst the impact on the council is expected to be low, the recommended neonatal care provisions could provide an absolute lifeline for some employees – supporting them through one of the most difficult times of their lives.

“The provisions will enable fathers and non-birthing parents to be involved in their babies care and will help achieve better outcomes for premature and sick babies and their families.”

It added: “The implementation of the recommended provisions will also send out a positive far-reaching message of support – boosting the council’s reputation as an employer of choice where existing and perspective employees know that, whilst working for the council, they will be treated well and supported through life’s challenges.”

Councillors will decide on the proposals at the City Administration Committee on Thursday.