A&K Travel Group has introduced a new paid parental leave policy, providing a minimum of 18 weeks paid parental leave, regardless of gender.

The travel company said the move was “ground-breaking” and demonstrated its commitment to equality and employee well-being.

The policy is enables parents to spend “valuable time with their newborns” and takes a “proactive approach” to breaking gender stereotypes and promoting equality in the workplace, added A&K.

Cristina Levis, A&K Travel Group chief executive, said: “We are incredibly proud to be at the forefront of the travel industry in offering this progressive parental leave package.

“By providing equal opportunities for parents to bond with their new children, we are not only investing in the well-being of our employees but also taking a significant step towards levelling the playing field for all of our employees.”

Kim Berman, chief human resources officer, added: “We have been evaluating the benefits offered to our employees around the world and have introduced the first of what we hope will be many initiatives to improve our global offerings and cement our position as the number one travel brand to work for.”

The group said the parental leave policy is expected to have “far-reaching” benefits, including increased employee satisfaction, improved retention rates and a more diverse and inclusive workplace culture.