Drinks maker Diageo is to offer a global minimum of 26 weeks fully paid paternity leave.

It is beginning a global roll-out of the family leave policy across its business.

It hopes this will support employees to focus on raising a young family, while continuing to thrive at work.

The policy offers female employees in all markets a minimum of 26 weeks of fully paid maternity leave.

It is also setting a global minimum standard of four weeks paternity leave on full rate of pay in all markets - with a significant number of Diageo’s businesses moving to 26 weeks fully paid paternity leave.

This includes Ireland, North America, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Spain, Netherlands, Italy, Russia, Colombia, Venezuela, and Australia.

The announcement is being made by Ivan Menezes, Diageo's chief executive, in New York on Wednesday.

"Fully inclusive"

In Ireland, this means that from July 1st, 26 weeks fully paid parental leave will be offered to all Diageo employees - regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or how people become parents (i.e. via birth, adoption or surrogacy).

Mairéad Nayager is chief HR officer at Diageo: "We are committed to creating a fully inclusive and diverse workforce and we strongly believe that businesses play a significant role in shaping the future of society.

"Global businesses like Diageo must make bold moves on policies and the environments in which their employees work to ensure that the progress people deserve happens".

Oliver Loomes, Diageo Ireland country director, added: "Our business has always had strong record of being one of the best employers in Ireland.

"Today’s announcement is a significant step for us and shows our commitment to leading the way with progressive employment policies by supporting gender equality in the workplace."

The new policy will go live in most countries at the start of Diageo's new financial year, from July 1st.

Diageo brands include Guinness, Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Baileys and Captain Morgan.