We must crack the code on women’s attrition in STEM
A strong and diverse workforce is essential across the science, tech, engineering, and mathematics sectors (STEM) to address some of our nation’s most confronting and enduring challenges: including domestic and family violence, climate change, equality, and social justice. It’s also vital for tapping into the full potential of the population, driving innovation, and especially […]
4 day work weeks and stronger leave policies: The top workplace trends we’ll see in 2023
In many respects the illusive future of work has arrived – the monumental shifts in how and where we work that have occurred over the past three years are vast and have tested the boundaries of the employee-employer relationship at work and at home like never before. Flexible work took on a whole new dimension […]
The ‘investment’ over ‘deficit’ of paid parental leave – is Australia family-friendly enough?
It’s fair to say there’s been a reboot and reinvigorated discussions around the criticality of investing in paid parental leave reform this year from across political divide, industry and community groups. There’s a broad recognition that Australia scores poorly on paid parental leave funding and that we need more fathers incentivised to use it. […]
First responders, loaner phones and emergency accommodation: How Lion is responding to domestic and family abuse
Lion’s revamped domestic and family violence abuse policy sets a new benchmark for supporting employees to access the help they need. Revamped in 2021, the policy builds on offering paid domestic and family violence leave to now also providing emergency short term accommodation for individuals and their immediate families in crisis. They […]
Best practice advice from UNICEF to support Family Friendly Workplaces certification
In their latest report ‘Integrating Child Rights across the ASX’, UNICEF Australia provides leading organisations with recommendations on how to increase their focus on safeguarding children. With less than 1% of companies having a specific commitment to respecting children’s rights further than child labour, there are opportunities for Australian companies to do better. One […]
Formalising flexibility has helped this workplace become more family friendly
Sue Whipps has always been a strong advocate for the flexibility that family friendly workplaces provide employees. As the Country Head of People and Organisation for Novartis Australia and New Zealand, a global healthcare company and accredited Family Inclusive Workplace, she strives to create an environment where every employee has the opportunity to realise […]
Federal Government Announces Support for Family Family Workplaces with a $1.4 million dollar boost
30th March, 2022 – As part of the 2022 Budget, the Federal Treasurer announced support for Family Friendly Workplaces committing $1.4 million over three years to UNICEF Australia and Parents At Work to support 500 workplaces to meet National Work & Family Standards, create a Family Friendly Workplace culture and be certified as a Family […]
Paid parental leave, paid miscarriage leave & paid super contributions: How this SME gets ahead
Business size should not be used as an excuse for failing to provide a great workplace culture and inclusive policies to support staff, according to Ben Schramm. As the Managing Partner of Cube Group, a Melbourne-based consultancy employing around 30 people and offering generous employee entitlements including 12 weeks of paid parental leave to […]
The business offering parents up to $1000 a month to help with childcare fees
Parents are given up to $1000 a month to support childcare fees when they work at the electronic property settlement provider, Property Exchange Australia (PEXA). It’s an extraordinary policy introduced by the firm of around 350 staff back in 2019, and one that turned a lot of heads upon its announcement given its financial […]
The global MD working 9-day fortnights & advocating for real flexible work
Alison Hernandez has been living and working remotely in regional NSW for more than five years, well before the COVID-19 Pandemic that has seen massive shifts in how we work from home. In that time, Hernandez has also seen her business Sageco grow and get acquired. She’s been promoted multiple times, including to where […]