The food services company will provide a minimum of 12 weeks of parental leave for the primary care provider - reaching 14 weeks in most countries - two weeks for the secondary care provider, and five days of family care leave.

Moreover, through the life insurance benefit, employees’ dependants will receive an equivalent of one year of the employee’s base salary in the event of their passing.

Employees will have access to a helpline, with direct access to advice and guidance, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

These benefits will be made available in all entities of the Sodexo Group in compliance with local legislation and the obligation, where applicable, for discussions with l labour organisations and social partners, and the company expects they will be available in 60 per cent of its markets by the end of 2024.

“In line with Sodexo’s purpose -- “Create a better every day for everyone to build a better life for all” -- the launch of Vita by Sodexo demonstrates the Group’s commitment to contribute to the personal, financial, and family well-being of all its employees regardless of the country in which they work or the Group entity by which they are employed,” said the company in a statement.

“Our employees’ well-being matters and means a great deal to us. We give it all the attention and importance it deserves. This program illustrates our ongoing commitment to being a responsible employer. Sodexo is the first global Group in its sector to make such a major commitment,” Annick de Vanssay, chief human resources officer at Sodexo, said in a statement. “I’m confident Vita by Sodexo could make a difference in the lives of our employees and help us attract and retain talent.”