The NZ law firm is investing more time and resources in employees who choose to be parents
Kiwi law firm Duncan Cotterill has introduced a new leave policy to better support new parents across its New Zealand offices.
Provisions include top-ups to government parental leave payments and leave accruals as well as personalised care packages.
Struan McOmish, Chair of Duncan Cotterill said Duncan Cotterill is committed to supporting employees who choose to work and be parents.
“This new policy is just the first of many changes that will see us invest more time and resource into supporting our working parents.”
The firm will top up the capped government parental leave payments for the primary caregiver to 100 per cent of salary for up to 15 weeks, based on employees’ tenure with the firm.
On return from parental leave, Duncan Cotterill will also top up an employee’s annual leave accrued during the leave period to be worth 100 per cent of its value.
Employees will also be able to choose from a range of care packages, including nappies, pre-cooked meals or domestic cleaning services.
New parents who are not the primary caregiver are already entitled to an additional two weeks’ paid leave.
Recently, WPP AUNZ also launched a new parental leave policy for both primary and secondary carers across its New Zealand company.
The new policy, which is effective from June 1, will see NZ-based employees paid up to 16 weeks full salary depending on length of tenure. After just one year of service, employees will be offered 12 weeks’ full pay.
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Moreover, secondary carers will be provided four weeks leave on full pay after two years of service, and two weeks after just one year. It will apply to employees of WPP AUNZ, and most of its NZ agencies.
“We know many talented, strong and experienced people opt to leave our industry because they may not see it as either family friendly, or a viable long-term option,” said WPP AUNZ Managing Director New Zealand, Sven Baker.
“We recognise this needs to change. Having a truly diverse workplace with people from a variety of backgrounds, and life stages makes our business better, and our employees happier.”
