Levi’s may be 167 years old, but its benefits plans for workers are on par with some of the most progressive startups.
On Thursday, the heritage denim brand announced that it will begin offering up to eight weeks paid time off to care for an ill family member. The industry-leading paid family leave benefit is available for all U.S. corporate and benefits-eligible retail employees.
While this helps anyone caring for an ill family member, it’s mostly helping the “sandwich generation,” or the adult providing care for an aging parent and their own children simultaneously. Levi Strauss & Co.’s paid family leave benefit provides up to eight weeks of paid time off annually to care for an ill spouse, domestic partner, parent or stepparent, child or stepchild up to 18 years of age.
According to LS&Co. CEO Chip Bergh, the decision to adopt these guidelines benefits both employees and the business.
“Some of the most important investments we make are in the well-being of our employees. We are introducing paid family leave to offer our employees the flexibility to care for ill family members without worrying about the stability of their job or finances,” Bergh said in a statement. “Access to paid family leave addresses the needs of the modern workforce and can help boost employee retention and loyalty.”
This adds to the company’s already progressive set of benefits, including its paid parental leave program announced in 2016, which offers eight weeks of paid time off to welcome or care for a new child.
