Yorkshire Housing is bolstering its family friendly policy to give staff more time and support during major life events.
The organisation says family life does not pause when people are at work, and from April 2026 it will offer markedly more generous paid leave.
After reviewing staff feedback, Yorkshire Housing will raise maternity and adoption leave to 26 weeks on full pay, while paternity leave will increase to six weeks on full pay. The benefits will be available to employees with at least one year’s service by the expected week of childbirth.
Ahead of the full rollout, short-term improvements will be introduced to ensure staff expecting a child before April 2026 do not miss out. Between 1 November 2025 and 5 April 2026, maternity leave will include 15 weeks on full pay and 14 weeks on half pay. Paternity leave will rise from two to four weeks on full pay.
Mike, an employee preparing for the birth of his first child, welcomed the enhanced support.
“These changes mean a great deal to me personally. With my first child on the way, having the flexibility and support to share those early moments with my family means so much, and I’m grateful to work somewhere that recognises the importance of that,” he said.
Sarah Hutchinson, director of people and culture at Yorkshire Housing, said the organisation had worked to create policies that better reflect the realities of modern family life.
“These changes are about giving colleagues the time, flexibility and support they need to look after what matters most – their families, however they’re defined,” she said. “By listening to feedback and shaping a policy that fits real lives, we’re building a culture of care and belonging that we can all be proud of.”
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