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CVS Significantly Increases Company Sick Pay To Help Colleagues With Exceptional Health-related Events
2 months ago 
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It will apply to major surgery as part of a gender transition, in a veterinary industry first
CVS Group has announced it will offer its colleagues up to eight weeks full pay in the circumstances of an exceptional health event, as part of a new company sick pay policy it has introduced.
Company sick pay schemes in the UK veterinary industry can commonly be just two weeks at full pay, whilst UK statutory sick pay covers employees for up to 28 weeks at £99.35 per week.
CVS’ new policy will be available on a discretionary basis to all colleagues[1]affected by a serious illness or a health condition that requires hospitalisation, major surgery or debilitating treatment.
It will also apply to major surgery as part of a gender transition, in, what is believed to be, a veterinary industry first.
Helen Finney, Group HR Director at CVS Group, said:
“The current economic climate means our colleagues may be feeling particularly concerned about pay in the unfortunate event they need to take an exceptionally longer period of time off due to a health event. So this policy helps provide comfort.
“This new policy will further help us to look after our colleagues’ financial, physical and mental wellbeing and is all part of us striving to be the veterinary company people most want to work for.”
CVS offers a significant number of benefits to its colleagues. These include; a health cash plan enabling colleagues to claim back the cost of a range of medical treatments[2]; a Save as You Earn scheme which allows colleagues to save regular amounts each month over a three-year period and benefit from increases in the Group’s share price over that time; a significant number of staff discounts on CVS products and services; and the support of colleagues’ wellbeing with a 300- strong wellbeing champion network and regular colleague check-ins. The company has also launched a new CVS Refresh reward scheme where teams receive a weekly allowance to spend on tasty treats or fitness classes.
CVS Group operates across small animal, farm animal, equine, laboratories and crematoria, with over 500 veterinary practices, referral centres and sites in the UK, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands. In the last five years the company has invested nearly £80 million in its sites, facilities and equipment, in addition to industry leading training and support, to give the best possible care to animals.
[1] colleagues with at least six months continuous service
2 including dental, optical, physiotherapy and specialist consultations
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