Autism Together recognised as ‘Employer with Heart’ for supporting staff with premature babies

Autism Together has been recognised for its support of employees with premature babies, receiving the Employer with Heart charter mark from The Smallest Things. 

This Wirral-based charity, employing more than 800 staff to assist more than 400 autistic adults, has policies extending leave for parents of premature babies, providing flexibility and financial support. 

Their recognition is part of the charity’s commitment to staff welfare, enhancing benefits and family-friendly policies.

Helen Bilton, director of people and culture at Autism Together, said: “I am so pleased that Autism Together has been awarded The Smallest Things charter mark. 

“This reinforces our charity’s continued commitment to our staff, recognising the important roles they play in looking after their own families, along with the people we support.”

Bilton added: “While Autism Together welcomes the imminent changes the government is making to neonatal leave, as an employer we wanted to fully support any of our staff experiencing these challenging moments as a parent – beyond the legislative requirements – in order that they may spend more time with their loved ones, without enduring any additional financial concerns. 

“Our Family Friendly policies now provide an extended offering to all our staff, to help them in supporting their own loved ones on becoming parents.”

She said: “We also provide all new mums in our employment with a baby basket filled with useful items, and we have extended our pay provision for parents too.”

Catriona Ogilvy, chair and founder of The Smallest Things, said: “We are delighted Autism Together has signed up to our Employer with Heart 2.0 charter, giving staff whose babies are born prematurely the extra time they need to be with their baby in hospital, and parents the time they need to recover and bond with their baby when they come home. 

“These changes will mean so much to staff at Autism Together, giving them the emotional and financial support they need at a time of great stress and trauma.” 

Ogilvy added: “No parent should be sitting next to an incubator or neonatal cot worrying about work and pay. 

“The Smallest Things have long campaigned for extended leave for neonatal parents and we hope that more employers follow Autism Together’s lead by going above and beyond new statutory entitlements as part of the new Neonatal Care Leave and Pay Bill.”