Qualifying full- and part-time associates eligible to receive six weeks of fully paid leave
SCARBOROUGH, ME – Hannaford Supermarkets today announced new parental leave benefits that will provide qualifying full- and part-time associates with six weeks of fully paid leave during the first 12 months following the birth, adoption or legal placement of a child.
The new policy, which is designed to support parents and caregivers during a critical time of transition in their family, will go into effect on September 1, 2019. All gender and gender identities are eligible to take advantage of the paid parental leave benefits, which will be offered in addition to other qualified time off plans, including short- and long-term disability.
“We see and appreciate that there is a wide spectrum of circumstances that brings families together and we want to ensure we live up to what it means to be an inclusive employer in how we extend our care and support,” said Margo Peffer, Vice President of Human Resources at Hannaford. “Having easy access to tools and benefits that support wellbeing and balance in our personal and professional lives is important for all of us at Hannaford.”
As a company, Hannaford is committed to investing in its associates by offering inclusive benefits and policies that enhance health and well-being, support flexibility and promote work-life balance. The addition of paid parental leave complements the competitive benefits offerings available to Hannaford associates, including Paid Time Off, Health Advocate, employee assistance program (EAP), education reimbursement, healthcare and disability coverage.
Peffer added, “As a parent, I know firsthand the peace of mind that comes with meaningful support to focus on your loved ones after a key life event. I am proud that we are an early leader in being able to offer a benefit that will improve the health and well-being of our associates and their families.”
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in March 2018, 17 percent of civilian workers had access to paid family leave and 89 percent had access to unpaid family leave. Sixteen percent of private industry workers had access to paid family leave and 88 percent had access to unpaid family leave.
Hannaford employs nearly 27,000 associates throughout its five-state trade area in New England and New York. The company has been recognized as a leader in diversity and inclusion and has earned a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index for eight years.
In its first-ever ranking of “America’s Best Employers by State,” Forbes ranked Hannaford as Maine’s “Best Employer.” Hannaford also ranked fifth among all of New Hampshire’s employers.
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About Hannaford Supermarkets
Hannaford Supermarkets, based in Scarborough, Maine, operates 181 stores in the Northeast. Stores are located in Maine, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Hannaford employs nearly 27,000 associates. Additional information can be found at www.hannaford.com.