How to become an Employer with Heart 2.0
Thank you for your interest in The Smallest Things’ Employer with Heart charter and for supporting families of premature babies at work. To receive the Employer with Heart 2.0 charter mark, companies and organisations need to supply proof that their policies meet the following criteria at a minimum:
Extend leave for parents and partners who have a premature baby (before 37 weeks’ gestation) by the number of days a baby is born prior to their due date. This extended leave will be at full pay.
Support parents and partners returning to work following the birth of a premature baby. Babies born too soon can have ongoing medical needs, requiring regular hospital appointments and check-ups. Consider formal and informal flexible working patterns and offering additional paid or unpaid leave.
Employer with Heart 2.0 guidance pack
Everything you need to know about the Employer with Heart 2.0 charter can be found in our downloadable guidance pack.
This information will help you to understand the unique needs of employees following the premature birth of a baby and will outline the ways you can support parents’ return to work following the trauma of neonatal intensive care.
Our updated Smallest Things Charter reflects the new Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) legislation that is due to come into effect in 2024/25 but goes one step further in supporting parents emotionally and financially. We hope you’ll be inspired to sign up and become an Employer with Heart, supporting the needs of premature babies and their families.
Once you have updated your HR/People policies in line with the charter, please email them along with signed page 14 to EmployerwithHeart@thesmallestthings.org.
