Top accountants Ernst & Young have announced an innovative new scheme that aims to coach female staff before, during and after maternity leave.
The programme offers four sessions covering issues such as re-integration, relationship management and alternative work patterns. The goal is to improve retention levels by demonstrating that the company is committed to career advancement for their working mothers.
So far, more than 240 employees have participated since the pilot began five months ago. The firm says it’s too early to tell whether retention levels have improved. However, Liz Bingham, partner sponsor of the programme, says: ‘We want to ensure that all our people, at every stage of their personal and professional lives, are supported and able to make informed choices about their career development.’