XPO has enhanced its maternity benefits for soon-to-be and new parents, as part of a wider aim to lead the transport and logistics sector on family policies.

Currently, in the UK, XPO employees – or those adopting children – are entitled to enhanced maternity pay after one year of service.

Under the new provisions, after two years of service, they are entitled to 90% of their weekly average earnings for the first six weeks of maternity leave, with the following 20 weeks paid at 80% of their basic pay plus allowances, including statutory maternity pay.

The remaining 13 weeks will be paid at the government statutory rate, or 90% of the employees’ average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.

Announcing the move, XPO said: ”This means that employees receive a higher amount than the government’s statutory maternity pay for a significantly extended period, which will help new parents worry less about their finances during this critical time.”

UK advocacy organisations Unison and Maternity Action have called for increasing the current statutory maternity pay to £364.70.

Lynn Brown, XPO Logistics vice-president of human resources, UK and Ireland, added: ”We are proud to be leading the way in our industry on maternity and adoption pay, in addition to other family-friendly policies we have recently implemented and enhanced.

”This further demonstrates our desire to create a truly inclusive workforce that supports employees during key times in their lives.”