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 鶹ԭ.
Under the new policy,which will be effective on 1 December 2021,鶹ԭhas increased itsentitlementto offeremployees22weeks ofpaid parental leave for primary carers and12weeks paid parental leave for secondary carers.
The new policy includes:
- No minimumtenure/servicerequirementto access parental leave for鶹ԭemployeeswho have passed probation
- Twenty-two weeks paid parental leavefor primary carersand twelve weeks leave for secondary carers(minimum two weeks at a time).
- Flexibility onthe timing ofleave,with the option to take paid leave within two years of welcoming a child, instead of one year
- Inclusion of special parental leavewhere 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 threeweeks leave.
- Eight weeks transitionback 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.
“We are a people-focusedbusinessand ourpeopleare at the heart of our success.Weare committed to driving an inclusive and flexible culture at 鶹ԭ andtodo thateffectively, being proactiveaboutreviewing and updatingour policies is important.We made changesa few years ago toensure superannuation was contributed toovertheunpaid periodand that our parental leave policyreflectedall families, includingthose withsame-sexparents.And this yearwedid another review to ensureour policiessupported and celebratedour parents as they embark on their wonderful andlife changingevent,” saysDebbie Rigger,Head of Human Resourcesat 鶹ԭ Australia and New Zealand.
“How you approach your parental leave policy reflects how you feel about your employees and their families.We listenedto what ourpeoplewanted,sought external counseland thought hard about how we could best supportour familiesthroughall the highs and lows that come withthesemoments that matter.One importantchange for us, was to ensure forany pregnancies where a miscarriage or stillbirth occurs after 20 weeks, 鶹ԭ 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.”
Sameer Aimandi, Solution Architect at 鶹ԭ Australia says, “Life throws curveballs and opportunities at you all the time.My wife, who also works at 鶹ԭ,had thechanceto applyfor a promotion while she was on maternity leave. When she was successful, I jumped into the role of primary carer formy daughter a couple of months earlier than my wife and I had planned.
“The way 鶹ԭ supportedme and my wifethroughout our combined parental leave periodstaught me the importance of having the ability,andfeeling professionally supported,tomake decisions that are right for you and your family.The increased flexibilityand support offered by鶹ԭ’s updatedparental leave policyis another step in ensuring that parents don’t feel like they need to sacrifice professionally tobenefit personally.”
Under the new parental leave policy, 鶹ԭhasalsopartnered withpurpose-ledsocial enterprise,, to deliver each new 鶹ԭ 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.
You canlearn more about鶹ԭ’s approach to diversity and inclusion,best workplace awards, early talent certificationsand more at theof sap.com.You can also read more about Sameer’s parental leave story.
