Up to two years parental leave that can be taken flexibly, special leave for stillbirths and miscarriages, and eight weeks transition back to fulltime work are key features of a new parental leave initiative announced by Âé¶¹Ô´´. Ìý
Under the new policy,Ìýwhich will be effective on 1 December 2021,ÌýÂé¶¹Ô´´Ìýhas increased itsÌýentitlementÌýto offerÌýemployeesÌý22Ìýweeks ofÌýpaid parental leave for primary carers andÌý12Ìýweeks paid parental leave for secondary carers.ÌýÌý
The new policy includes:Ìý
- No minimumÌýtenure/serviceÌýrequirementÌýto access parental leave forÌýÂé¶¹Ô´´ÌýemployeesÌýwho have passed probationÌý
- Twenty-two weeks paid parental leaveÌýfor primary carersÌýand twelve weeks leave for secondary carersÌý(minimum two weeks at a time).Ìý
- Flexibility onÌýthe timing ofÌýleave,Ìýwith the option to take paid leave within two years of welcoming a child, instead of one yearÌý
- Inclusion of special parental leaveÌýwhere if stillbirth occurs and/or miscarriage after twenty weeks, employees are eligible for full entitlement. If under twenty weeks, employees are eligible for up to threeÌýweeks leave.Ìý
- Eight weeks transitionÌýback to fulltime work with flexibility on how many days employees work dependant on agreement with manager. Employees must work minimum two days for four weeks and then increase thereafter.Ìý
“We are a people-focusedÌýbusinessÌýand ourÌýpeopleÌýare at the heart of our success.ÌýWeÌýare committed to driving an inclusive and flexible culture at Âé¶¹Ô´´ andÌýtoÌýdo thatÌýeffectively, being proactiveÌýaboutÌýreviewing and updatingÌýour policies is important.ÌýWe made changesÌýa few years ago toÌýensure superannuation was contributed toÌýoverÌýtheÌýunpaid periodÌýand that our parental leave policyÌýreflectedÌýall families, includingÌýthose withÌýsame-sexÌýparents.ÌýAnd this yearÌýweÌýdid another review to ensureÌýour policiesÌýsupported and celebratedÌýour parents as they embark on their wonderful andÌýlife changingÌýevent,â€� saysÌýDebbie Rigger,ÌýHead of Human ResourcesÌýat Âé¶¹Ô´´ Australia and New Zealand.ÌýÌý
“How you approach your parental leave policy reflects how you feel about your employees and their families.ÌýWe listenedÌýto what ourÌýpeopleÌýwanted,Ìýsought external counselÌýand thought hard about how we could best supportÌýour familiesÌýthroughÌýall the highs and lows that come withÌýtheseÌýmoments that matter.ÌýOne importantÌýchange for us, was to ensure forÌýany pregnancies where a miscarriage or stillbirth occurs after 20 weeks, Âé¶¹Ô´´ employees are entitled to the full parental leave period to take the time they need for themselves before returning to the workforce. We want to help our staff navigate major transitions in their work life, while understanding that professional and personal lives overlap.â€�Ìý
Sameer Aimandi, Solution Architect at Âé¶¹Ô´´ Australia says, “Life throws curveballs and opportunities at you all the time.ÌýMy wife, who also works at Âé¶¹Ô´´,Ìýhad theÌýchanceÌýto applyÌýfor a promotion while she was on maternity leave. When she was successful, I jumped into the role of primary carer forÌýmy daughter a couple of months earlier than my wife and I had planned.ÌýÌý
“The way Âé¶¹Ô´´ supportedÌýme and my wifeÌýthroughout our combined parental leave periodsÌýtaught me the importance of having the ability,ÌýandÌýfeeling professionally supported,ÌýtoÌýmake decisions that are right for you and your family.ÌýThe increased flexibilityÌýand support offered byÌýÂé¶¹Ô´´â€™s updatedÌýparental leave policyÌýis another step in ensuring that parents don’t feel like they need to sacrifice professionally toÌýbenefit personally.â€�Ìý
Under the new parental leave policy, Âé¶¹Ô´´ÌýhasÌýalsoÌýpartnered withÌýpurpose-ledÌýsocial enterprise,Ìý, to deliver each new Âé¶¹Ô´´ parent in Australia and New Zealand, a bespoke newborn gift set with all profits going to vulnerable children, providing family homes, education, healthcare and support to overcome trauma. Ìý
You canÌýlearn more aboutÌýÂé¶¹Ô´´â€™s approach to diversity and inclusion,Ìýbest workplace awards, early talent certificationsÌýand more at theÌýÌýof sap.com.ÌýYou can also read more about Sameer’s parental leave storyÌý.Ìý
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