Big Four firm PricewaterhouseCoopers announced a number of new benefits this week for staff members, with a particular focus on new families and personal well-being.

For new parents, PwC is now allowing staff members to work 60 percent of their hours while retaining 100 percent of their salary, for four weeks' time, once their parental leave ends. The firm claims it is the first to "implement this approach at this level around parental leave."

"At PwC, we're always looking for opportunities to support our people in innovative ways," stated Jennifer Allyn, PWC's diversity strategy leader. "When it comes to parents, we recognized that the transition back to work after a leave can be challenging. That is why we introduced a new option to phase back on a part-time schedule at full-time pay. This benefit will give both mothers and fathers more flexibility to ease back into their careers after welcoming a new child to their family."

The firm has also announced a $45 million investment in the "broader wellness of [their] people" by granting staff members at all levels a $1,000 bonus to be used on wellness-centered activities.



PwC's full list of new wellness initiatives includes:



$1000 bonus to all staff to spend on wellness-related activities;

Four weeks of paid family care leave for all partners and staff to care for certain family member with serious health conditions;

Eight weeks of paid parental leave for staff of any gender with a new child (currently six);

New "phased return to work" transition, with the option of new parents working 60 percent of hours, at full-time pay, for an additional four weeks following a block of paid parental leave;

$25K reimbursement, per child, for adoption (currently $5K);

$25K reimbursement, per child, for surrogacy (traditional and gestational) expenses;

Pro bono membership to sittercity.com (childcare, housekeeping, pet care services);

Six hours of free Eldercare consultation (home assessments, implementation of care, etc.)

For more on PwC, head to their site.

