Independent publishing and media business Hardie Grant has announced the introduction of new paid benefits to support staff and drive its mission to build a supportive and inclusive workplace.
The business will be offering the following new paid benefits to its employees: Menstrual and Menopause Leave, Fertility Treatment Leave, and Gender Transition Leave. These benefits are in addition to a number of updates to existing policies, including broadening the definitions within leave categories to better reflect a diverse workforce, contemporary relationships, and caring responsibilities
Menstrual and Menopause Leave
Acknowledging that female biology impacts many people’s working lives this benefit offers paid leave or the ability to work from home when adversely affected.
Fertility Treatment Leave
Will be available to both partners whether the staff member is undergoing fertility treatment or supporting a partner through the process.
Gender Transition Leave
Leave to support an employee’s transition to commencing to living as a member of another gender (gender affirmation), and with their agreement the company is open to discussing other areas of support, for individuals such as gender transition plans.
First Nation Employees
Several policies that include the definition of ‘family/household’ will be broadened to include kinship groups according to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kinship rules. This broader definition will be applied to entitlement for Personal and Carer’s Leave and Compassionate Leave.
Caring Relationships
The business is broadening the group for whom personal and carer’s leave (Au) and family and carers leave (UK) may be taken from immediate family or household to include broader family, close friends, and pets to reflect the reality of many staff’s circles of caring. If a staff member wants to support a close friend or look after a pet due to an emergency, they now can use the carer’s leave to do so.
Public Holidays
Hardie Grant is also giving staff the option to substitute three designated public holidays each year to be more inclusive and flexible. This will allow for staff to swap out days to better reflect their needs including to observe community/cultural and ceremonial events or relevant religious holidays throughout the year.
“These changes are all underpinned by inclusivity – they seek to meet the needs of our diverse workforce. I think these relatively small changes can make a big difference to helping us all feel comfortable to take leave when we need it,” said director and co-founder Fiona Hardie (lead image).
Hardie Grant is an independent media and publishing business employing 300 staff across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, London, Manila and Berkley offices.
