Greater Western Water boosts parental leave policy
24 October 2022
Greater Western Water (GWW) has launched a supercharged parental leave policy that demonstrates its strong commitment to flexibility and gender equality for working parents.
In a move to break down stereotypes, the new gender-neutral policy has removed the concept of primary and secondary carer, allowing all employees to access 16 weeks paid parental leave.
An employee can now access parental leave with no wait period and the policy also includes a superannuation top up on return and an option to take the leave in three blocks over two years.
IVF treatment, foster care placement and pregnancy bereavement are also included.
GWW’s Chief People Officer, Louise Meadows said the new policy aimed to put working parents on a more equal footing and normalise shared care arrangements irrespective of gender, relationship status or carer status.
“We are always looking for opportunities to address outdated policies such as primary and secondary carer and build an inclusive family-friendly culture that reflects the real lives of our people,” she said.
“We value everyone for who they are and what they can bring, and we aim to be as diverse as the communities we serve.”
“It not only puts into practice our cultural ambition by supporting our people to thrive in a real and tangible way, but it also progresses gender equality.”
“We are immensely proud of the new policy and hope that employees on the parenthood journey feel valued by the organisation as a result of it.”
Dennis Zhang will be one of GWW’s first employees to benefit from the new policy.
With plans to take parental leave at the start of next year, the new policy now enables Dennis - who started work with GWW three months ago - to take up to 16 weeks paid leave with no wait period.
“It’s great that GWW has recognised leave for all employees, it highlights how much the organisation is leading the way in this space,” he said.
“The new policy will allow me to play a shared caring role and I'm grateful to be working for an organisation that values its people."
