Bank of Ireland implements change to Maternity Leave policy to protect leave for new mothers facing cancer or serious illness

Bank of Ireland Group plc has announced that it has implemented changes to its existing maternity leave policy, to protect leave for any women undergoing treatment for cancer or other serious illness. This follows the passing of the Maternity Protection, Employment Equality and Preservation of Certain Records Bill 2024, legislation which followed the ‘Leave our Leave’ campaign from the Irish Cancer Society.

The new maternity leave provision will be made available to Bank of Ireland colleagues across the Group who are already on maternity leave, along with those taking maternity leave in the future. Under the Bank’s existing Maternity Leave Policy, all colleagues on maternity leave are eligible to avail of full pay for 26 weeks, irrespective of length of service. In line with the legislation, Bank of Ireland colleagues who are undergoing treatment for cancer or serious illness will be able to postpone maternity leave for between 5 and 52 weeks and it will not affect other forms of leave including unpaid maternity leave and parents leave.

Matt Elliott, Chief People Officer, Bank of Ireland said: “As one of the largest employers in Ireland, we are committed to building a supportive workplace and contributing to a progressive society. An important part of this is ensuring we have the right policies in place to support our colleagues, especially when they are facing difficulties life can sometimes bring.

“We have been inspired by the Irish Cancer Society’s campaign to introduce this important piece of legislation that protects new mothers and their families and we are introducing this change to our maternity leave policy, without delay. This latest change forms part of our Family Matters policies for colleagues and we have seen encouraging take-up of a number of these policies to date, including Parents Leave and Menopause Leave. We will continue to listen to our colleagues and update our policies so we are able to support them when they most need help.”

Averil Power, CEO, Irish Cancer Society said; “The Irish Cancer Society campaigned for over two years to change the law to allow pregnant or postpartum mothers the right to pause their maternity leave when they become seriously ill. Every year, around 60 women in Ireland go through cancer treatment during or just after pregnancy. The new legislation will benefit them – and many other women who become ill at this time. We’re delighted that Bank of Ireland is recognising the new legislation in its own policies.”

In 2023, Bank of Ireland introduced Family Matters, a suite of new employee benefits and existing policy enhancements intended to create a more supportive and inclusive environment for colleagues at different life stages. The Bank has seen a strong take up of family-focused leave options among colleagues, including paid paternity and parents leave, menopause, fertility and surrogacy leave.

• c. 800 colleagues have taken up Parents Leave, allowing seven weeks top up of parents leave for parents in the first two years; of particular note is that of the total number, 337 are dads and 460 are mums, supporting shared parental responsibility and bonding.
• Since introduction, the number of colleagues availing of Fertility Leave reflects the nationally estimated average of 1 in 7 people who have fertility issues, meaning that 57 colleagues were supported with time to pursue fertility treatment options.
• 71 colleagues have availed of paid Menopause leave since introduction.
• In the absence of legislation on surrogacy leave, Bank of Ireland introduced surrogacy leave in 2023 to mirror maternity leave entitlements and therefore this leave postponement option in the event of cancer or serious illness also applies to surrogacy leave.
• The Bank’s Domestic Abuse policy provides clear support for those affected by home events, including both financial and non-financial support to colleagues who experience domestic abuse. This support can include paid leave and flexibility with the work environment or schedule. In emergency situations – where a colleague needs to immediately leave an abusive partner – the Bank will help through paid emergency hotel accommodation or a salary advance.

Bank of Ireland colleagues in need of support can contact people managers confidentially or access the Bank’s Family Matters Hub or Wellbeing App. They can also avail of the Group’s Employee Assistance Programme, Here for you 24/7 which provides counselling and information services.

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Notes to Editor:

How the new Maternity Protection Act policy will work for Bank of Ireland colleagues: In practice, this means that colleagues can move to fully paid sick leave until they are finished treatment, when they can take up their fully paid maternity leave again. This ensures that women do not miss out on spending crucial bonding time with their new baby due to having to undergo medical treatment and alleviates financial pressures associated with forfeiting maternity leave because of illness.

Bank of Ireland’s new Family Matters Policy was developed in 2023 following a review of existing policies.

The benefits include:

• Seven weeks top up of parents leave for parents in the first two years (ROI)
• Seven weeks top up of shared parental leave in first year (UK)
• Now 13 weeks’ paid leave for partners, when coupled with paternity leave enhancements adopted in 2022.
• Now 33 weeks’ paid leave for parents availing of maternity, surrogacy or adoptive leave.
• New provision for foster care leave.
• Ten days’ leave for colleagues undergoing fertility treatments.
• Surrogacy leave has now been formalised to match adoptive leave entitlements.
• Early pregnancy leave for the loss of a baby under 24 weeks’ gestation, available to all colleagues.
• Extended breastfeeding breaks for parents with a child up to two-years of age.

Bank of Ireland has also made all family leave policies “day-one” entitlements for colleagues, meaning they can avail of benefits from the first day of employment.