Independent publishing and media business, Hardie Grant has announced the implementation of an enhanced parental leave policy, to be rolled out across the Australian arm of the business in January 2020.

While Hardie Grant has always provided three months paid parental leave, it will now introduce a number of changes to further support parents.

The new policy will remove the distinction between primary and secondary carer – meaning that secondary carers will be entitled to paid parental leave.  Another addition includes providing full parental leave entitlements in the case where a pregnancy terminates after 20 weeks, in order to acknowledge the physical and emotional loss that is experienced during these situations. Superannuation will also be paid throughout the paid leave period.

A review of the existing policy was managed by two senior executives in the Hardie Grant business – Roxy Ryan, Managing Director of Hardie Grant Books and Julia Kumschick, Sales Director Hardie Grant Publishing. Throughout 2019 the pair proactively sought feedback from staff, examined policies at external companies and reviewed recommendations from government and non-government bodies.

‘We want to attract and retain staff, support them when they return to work, and to some extent change behaviors as well. These new initiatives contribute to us being regarded as an employer of choice’, said Fiona Hardie, Founder and Director of Hardie Grant.

Hardie Grant is also initiating new ‘return-to-work perks’, including:

• An additional five days personal leave in the first year back ‘to assist in the juggle of childcare and the likelihood of illness and exhaustion early on
• Allocating a ‘buddy’ to keep new parents in touch while they are on leave
• An ‘easing the load’ voucher for a supermarket, meal delivery or house cleaning service
• Dedicated rooms for mothers who are expressing