New parents working at the University of Exeter will be entitled to six months¡¯ fully paid leave from the first day of their employment under a programme launched this month.

Beyond the first two weeks, which a mother is required to take off, the leave can be shared between parents, regardless of whether the mother works at the institution. They are then entitled to take a further 13 weeks¡¯ leave on statutory pay.

In addition, partners will be entitled to take six weeks¡¯ paternity leave.

Exeter said that the decision to grant staff the right to parental leave immediately, rather than requiring them to complete several months¡¯ service before they are eligible, had been taken with a view to attracting leading researchers to join the institution from its competitors. Early career researchers, who typically move between several universities, are likely to be key beneficiaries.

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Exeter claims that its parental leave package is the most generous among Russell Group universities?¨C and among the most progressive in the UK public sector.

Jacqui Marshall, Exeter¡¯s deputy registrar, said that the institution wanted to demonstrate ¡°the depth of [its] commitment to family-friendly working¡±.

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¡°Gone are the days when staff ¨C including early career researchers ¨C feel they have to choose between having children and career progression,¡± she said. ¡°This package of measures shows not just a long-term commitment by the University of Exeter to our employees, but our dedication to investing in staff at crucial periods of their career.¡±

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The new rights also?apply to parents who adopt. In addition, the university announced that it will provide five days¡¯ paid leave a year for women undergoing fertility treatment?¨C and two days¡¯ leave for their partners.

Exeter staff were previously entitled to maternity, adoption and shared parental pay for eight weeks, followed by 16 weeks on half pay, plus statutory maternity pay.

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A study published earlier this year found widespread variation?in the generosity of maternity leave packages on offer at UK universities, with research-intensive institutions more likely to offer long periods of fully paid leave.