Sydney architecture firm SJB Architects announces a new parental leave policy for their employees based on shared care, flexible working hours, financial support and allowances.
Setting a new benchmark in the Australian architecture industry, the new Parental Leave Policy and Flexible Working program was introduced by SJB after studying several parental leave models.
With the understanding that ‘to create capacity for women to have more meaningful careers, men must be encouraged to increase their caring responsibilities’, the SJB Parental Leave Policy promotes shared care by offering any new parent 10 weeks of leave at full pay, irrespective of their carer status.
SJB director and a foundation member of the AIA NSW Chapter’s Male Champions of Change, Adam Haddow reiterates the firm’s commitment to supporting their staff as they navigate achieving balance in their lives.
Haddow explains that they have made their Parental Leave Policy as flexible as possible, so new parents can use their leave in a way that achieves an optimal balance between their career and caring responsibilities.
Highlights of the SJB parental leave policy include superannuation contributions for up to 12 months for the initial primary carer keeping in mind the impact of caring responsibilities on retirement savings, particularly for women; a Working Parent Childcare Support Allowance available for both parents for up to 12 months when they return to work; and a Flexible Working program that allows working parents to tailor working preferences.
However, flexible working at SJB isn’t just for working parents – anyone with a reason that is meaningful to that individual can avail of this benefit.
