A stout-standing offer

A PINT of plain is your only man, woman and child, it seems... as Guinness is offering a generous new paid parental leave plan to all its staff regardless of gender.

The family-friendly maternity and paternity leave package offers parents up to 26 weeks on full pay. And it’s not just Guinness workers who will benefit, as all staff employed by owners Diageo can avail of the upcoming scheme.

Diageo staff can avail of the leave package from July 1.

The rollout will be available to employees in Ireland, as well as North America, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Spain, Netherlands, Ireland, Italy, Russia, Colombia, Venezuela, and Australia.

Across all markets, Diageo staff will be entitled to a bare minimum of four weeks of paternity leave on a full rate of pay. Diageo Ireland country director Oliver Loomes said: ‘Today’s announcement is a significant step for us and shows our commitment to leading the way with progressive employment policies by supporting gender equality in the workplace.’

Diageo owns some of Ireland’s most recognisable drinks brands, including Guinness and Baileys.

Under current Irish law, new mothers are entitled to 26 weeks’ leave from work but only some employers will continue to fully pay an employee while they are taking their leave.

Standard maternity benefit in Ireland is €245 a week. New fathers are entitled to two weeks of paternity leave at the same rate.