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Family expectations have changed throughout recent decades, and professional women no longer expect to put their careers on hold to raise children.
Property Exchange Australia (PEXA) has decided to embrace this and overstepped the Australian parental leave policies it says were written for 20th-century families.
It is the next step in the company’s motivation to be an employer of choice for women and young professionals.
PEXA’s new policy will give employees access to six months of paid parental leave for the primary carer and three months of paid leave for the secondary carer.
Additionally, they will receive up to $1,000 per month for childcare assistance. And the company will continue paying for their superannuation when they are on unpaid parental leave.
“This generation won’t ‘fit in’ with outdated workplace models,” PEXA boss Marcus Price said. “They want their employers to drive change and help them to reach their potential. Taking time out of the workforce to start or support a family shouldn’t penalise workers.”
Mr Price said many employers are not doing enough to support new families.
“There is some support from government programs, but it is simply not enough to take the pressure off working families. We want to create an environment where women and men can continue to successfully progress their careers while also enjoying time together as a family during those early formative months.”
PEXA’s Fiona Tang has utilised the childcare assistance, and now she and her husband do not have to fret about the cost of childcare.
“It makes it easier for us to both get what we want out of parenting and our careers,” Ms Tang said.
Hannah McDowell has become the first to benefit from the organisation’s parental leave package, and she feels lucky she did not have to wait for the right time at work before considering starting a family.
“On top of the 20 weeks paid parental leave, the additional six weeks of flexi leave will help me transition back into the workplace at a pace that suits me,” she said.
“Meaning, I have to take less unpaid leave and can remain financially independent throughout my leave.”
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