Why time away matters

At The Adaptavist Group (TAG), we know that taking time off work isn't just about holidays in the sun—it's about having the space to be truly present during life's most important moments. Whether it's welcoming a child, caring for a loved one, managing your health, or simply taking time to recharge, our approach to flexible working policies is rooted in care and trust.

At TAG, employee well-being is a core part of our culture. We've always believed our team members are best placed to manage their own time. That's why we've maintained unlimited annual leave and a remote-friendly work environment, even as others in the industry move away from flexibility.

The driving force behind TAG's new policy

While TAG had already introduced enhanced parental leave and unlimited annual leave, our policies hadn't been reviewed in several years. As our workforce grows and evolves, we recognise that some aspects, like linking parental leave to tenure, unintentionally created inequities, especially for newer team members, which was at odds with other benefits at TAG. We also saw that our support for both birthing and non-birthing parents wasn't fully aligned with the needs of our team members.

A clear direction emerged through employee feedback, including insights from our active employee resource groups: our policies needed to reflect modern life and our diverse global workforce. It wasn't just about parenting. Our people wanted dedicated support for mental health, fertility treatments, menstrual health, menopause, and more.

We listened.

Key features of TAG's Time Away Guide

Enhanced parental leave
As part of our commitment to supporting every stage of the parenthood journey, TAG has introduced a more equitable and inclusive parental leave policy:

• Six months of fully paid leave for birthing parents, available immediately after probation, regardless of location—providing the time and security needed to welcome a new child.
• Three months of fully paid leave for non-birthing parents, also available post-probation, to promote shared caregiving and better support all types of families.

Flexible leave for life's realities
We've expanded our leave options to support a broader range of life events better. This includes:

• Menopause and menstruation leave, without needing to use sick or annual leave, supporting menstrual health in the workplace and breaking long-held taboos.
  Time away for fertility treatments, pregnancy loss, PCOS, endometriosis, and related health conditions because reproductive health leave should be accessible and judgment-free.
• Mental health days, recognising the importance of rest and recovery for emotional well-being

Support beyond leave

To ease transitions back to work, we've introduced a return-to-work buddy system for new parents—connecting them with colleagues who've navigated similar experiences. It's a chance to share wisdom, build community, and support one another.

The impact: voices from TAG employees

We know that needs change in life and at work, so our policies are designed to be flexible and continue evolving with our people. Many voices across The Adaptavist Group shape our updated Time Away policies, and some of those voices have shared what these changes mean to them:

"After spending many years at The Adaptavist Group, I decided to try something new. But after two years away, I realised that coming back was the best move for my career. At the end of last year, I discovered I was expecting, which was wonderful news! However, since my tenure had reset my enhanced entitlement allowances, I faced the tough decision of figuring out how long I could afford to take off without putting too much strain on my family's finances. Hearing about the new policy of offering six months off with full pay for all birthing parents was a relief. It's amazing to see a fair policy for everyone, and it allows me to take more maternity leave than I ever imagined possible. I'm truly grateful for this support." — Returning TAG team member, UK.

"Before the new time away guide, I was hesitant to think about pursuing treatment or further surgeries for my endometriosis and PCOS ever again. The last time I went for surgery, I was met with hostility about the amount of time I needed to take off for recovery. This new approach has empowered me to take care of my health for the first time in years and not to be afraid any more" — TAG team member, Canada.

Why these changes matter

By providing more robust leave options, we're not just offering time off but investing in long-term loyalty and trust. When our team members feel seen and supported, especially during pivotal life moments, they're more likely to build meaningful, lasting careers with us.

We also recognise that menstrual and menopausal health can significantly impact well-being and day-to-day productivity. These are not niche issues; they're shared realities for many in our workforce. By formally acknowledging them in our leave structure, we're helping break long-standing taboos and fostering a culture where empathy, openness, and inclusion shape our policies and practices.

But these changes aren't just good for people, they're good for business. The productivity payoff of thoughtful leave policies is real. Employees who are genuinely cared for show up with greater energy, commitment, and creativity. When people know they don't have to choose between their health and their careers, they can truly thrive, and so can we as an organisation.

Looking ahead: The future of employee support at TAG

At TAG, we understand that employee well-being isn't a one-off initiative. It's a commitment to long-term, ongoing support. As our team continues to grow, so too will our policies, tools, and workplace culture. We're focused on evolving workplace policies to meet our people's ever-changing needs.

Looking ahead, our goal is to listen even more closely, learn continuously, and co-create a human-centred workplace culture where everyone feels empowered and respected. We're already taking steps to enhance manager training and provide even more resources for our leaders to support their teams through chronic illness, mental health challenges, pregnancy loss, disability, neurodiversity, and more.

Our approach to the future of work isn't just about flexible schedules or remote work—it's about ensuring that no one has to choose between career success and personal well-being. We're committed to providing proactive, inclusive, and empathetic support that reflects the diverse realities our team members face.

Explore opportunities at Adaptavist

If you're excited about the supportive, inclusive workplace we're building at The Adaptavit Group, why not take the next step and join our talent community today?
Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your career, TAG offers career opportunities in tech and beyond–with a culture built by our people for our people.