Zurich Australia has announced a new ‘Family Care Policy’ that it says recognises ‘all family circumstances and supports a fair, diverse and inclusive workplace’.
A spokesman for the organisation said that it acknowledges that “every family is different” and, as a result, its new approach to family care will support “every employee regardless of gender, gender identity or sexual orientation” and enable everyone to take paid leave as they welcome new family members or manage various circumstances related to family care.
The Family Care Policy, which comes into effect later this month, will replace Zurich’s existing Parental Leave Policy and includes:
- The new policy is inclusive of birth, adoption, surrogacy, IVF, miscarriage and stillbirth.
- Primary Parents – 16 weeks paid leave with the ability to request up to 2 years of leave.
- Co-Parents – 6 weeks paid leave plus additional unpaid leave.
- Superannuation contributions on unpaid leave for primary parents.
- Removal of all tenure requirements, including probation.
- Personal and long service leave will continue to accrue during unpaid leave for primary parents.
Tim Plant, CEO General Insurance of Zurich Australia, said: “This is the next step in Zurich’s journey towards achieving equality for our people, as part of our wider aim to create a brighter, more sustainable workplace that puts our people first”.
