NewsAurecon removes primary care requirement and increases paid parental leave to 22 weeks

Aurecon’s progressive new policy further enhances support for its employees by also paying employees who are new parents 150 per cent of their salary for up to 22 weeks if their partner’s employer does not offer paid parental leave.

The new policy gives every new Aurecon parent the opportunity to spend time at home with their new arrival, without reducing income while helping to improve parent-child bonding and gender equality within the workplace and society.

In another gamechanger towards greater flexibility for new families, Aurecon’s updated policy will also allow employees to take paid parental leave in different blocks of time to best suit their circumstances.

Superannuation, which is mandatory on paid leave, has also been improved for parents wanting to extend their time with their new arrivals and will be paid on up to 30 weeks unpaid leave.

"Aurecon is a major employer of graduates with a young and growing workforce we are keen to retain throughout
their working life."

Penny Rush, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Manager, Aurecon

Penny Rush, Aurecon’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Manager, said the new policy is aimed at enhancing wellbeing and flexibility for current employees as well as attracting and retaining staff, who may one day consider starting a family.

“Aurecon is a major employer of graduates with a young and growing workforce we are keen to retain throughout their working life. Aurecon has recently reviewed all employee benefits to ensure we are responding to the changing needs of our workforce. Our most universal benefit is our culture of flexible working, which we support through team workshops and team charters. We truly walk the talk.

"Our new parental leave policy has been developed closely with our colleagues and we think it will have huge benefits for them, their families and the overall culture at Aurecon. This is not the end of the process; we are continuing to explore how we can support our wide range of carers. After all, parenting doesn’t stop after our 18-month parental leave period, and many other family members need care, or extra care, such as children or family members with disability.

"We know this will also help us attract and keep the best people and as an employer, it is crucial we support working parents and carers to thrive in the workplace.

“Having a child is a wonderful moment in life – and it should never be a barrier to achieving professional goals. We hope our policy helps new parents have time with their new arrivals while continuing to have excellent, rewarding careers.”

The policy update has been well-received by Aurecon colleagues, with Associate Angus Wilkie highlighting how it shows the company is looking after its employees. Mr Wilkie has been with Aurecon for eight years and he and his wife had their first child in 2021 when he took advantage of the previous paid parental leave policy, which offered 14 weeks paid leave to the primary carer.

“The previous policy was good and was one of the attractions of joining Aurecon as I knew I’d be having kids at some point, but the new policy goes above and beyond – the whole leave system now feels way more flexible and can better meet my family’s needs. It is perfect timing for us as a family and this time I plan to take shorter blocks of leave over a longer period.”

“I feel hugely valued by Aurecon to be able to do this as I know it’s not yet the norm. It’s also pleasing that progressive parental leave policies like this will have industry wide impact as other companies will need to keep up.”