Over 240 have already taken up the scheme, which is open to all women across the firm, in the UK and Ireland.
Ernst & Young designed the scheme to ensure its employees are supported at every stage in their careers and that, at a major point of transition in their lives, they are able to make informed decisions about how and when they return to work.
Participants in the programme receive four tailored coaching sessions, which take place before, during and after their maternity leave. The coaching covers questions ranging from managing relationships with clients and colleagues, to exploring alternative work patterns, and re-integrating into the workplace. Line managers who have someone in their team going on maternity leave also attend a dedicated coaching session on how to provide the right level of contact and support.
Liz Bingham, partner sponsor of the programme at Ernst & Young, said: "Gender diversity isn't just an issue in the boardroom. It is vital that organisations create talent pipelines to ensure high-potential women are being developed at every level through their careers.
"Initiatives such as our new maternity scheme are designed to remove any perceived or real blockages in the pipeline. We want to ensure that all our people, at every stage of their personal and professional lives, are supported and are able to make informed choices about their career development."
While it is too early to tell whether the scheme has improved employee retention levels, Bingham says the feedback from participants so far has been extremely positive.
She added: "Maternity coaching isn't about informing staff about our corporate policies. It is about giving our people the confidence to have conversations about their working arrangements, keeping them informed while on leave and helping them transition and reintegrate back into the workplace.
"The scheme was initially aimed at women and their line managers, but the anecdotal feedback has been so positive that we are planning to open it out to new fathers. Becoming a parent is a life-changing event and we recognise that fathers, as well as mothers, need help as they seek to adjust and balance their personal and professional commitments. I am personally delighted to sponsor this programme as part of our broader commitment to diversity and inclusiveness and the development of all our talented people," Bingham said.
