Expectant mother and council support worker Kelly Male Kelly Male (pictured with her daughter Ilithyia), welcomed the new parental leave scheme, including superannuation top ups. WONTHAGGI’S miners had a long and proud history of driving many improvements in conditions and wages for workers throughout Australia.
Now the Bass Coast Shire Council has created its own piece of labour history with a landmark parental leave scheme designed to address gender-based inequalities.
In a series of firsts for the local government sector, the council has removed the difference between primary and secondary carers, meaning mothers, fathers and same sex partners are now entitled to the same paid parental leave.
The council has also set a new industry standard for its 400 employees by increasing paid parental leave from 14 weeks to 16 weeks for both parents. Superannuation contributions will also now be made for everyone on unpaid parental leave for a full year.
Now the Bass Coast Shire Council has created its own piece of labour history with a landmark parental leave scheme designed to address gender-based inequalities.
In a series of firsts for the local government sector, the council has removed the difference between primary and secondary carers, meaning mothers, fathers and same sex partners are now entitled to the same paid parental leave.
The council has also set a new industry standard for its 400 employees by increasing paid parental leave from 14 weeks to 16 weeks for both parents. Superannuation contributions will also now be made for everyone on unpaid parental leave for a full year.
“These actions are bold and designed to address gender-based inequalities,’’ said Bass Coast Shire Council chief executive Ali Wastie. “It’s simply the right thing to do.”
She said the extended leave provision would give new parents more time to bond with their babies and support each other in parenting.’’
“Through these actions Bass Coast Shire Council is strengthening our own community and I hope that other public sector authorities at local, state and federal level will follow our example.’’
Victoria’s Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner Dr Niki Vincent welcomed the parental leave scheme, which was announced last week.
“It’s great to see a public sector agency leading the way by removing the definition of ‘primary and secondary carer’ and in so doing, removing assumptions around rigid gender roles for parents and carers,’’ she said.
“By paying superannuation on parental leave, the council is helping to close the superannuation gap, which currently penalises those who take time out to care for their children – predominantly women, who on average retire with significantly less superannuation and less financial security."
The council will also promote and encourage the take up of flexible work arrangements for employees with caring responsibilities to allow for working hours to be spread across 24 hours, seven days a week.
Approval for flexible agreements will be the default position and refusals must be justified to the Council CEO.
Ms Wastie said the cost of the new initiatives would not increase rates but be absorbed into existing budgets.
She said the extended leave provision would give new parents more time to bond with their babies and support each other in parenting.’’
“Through these actions Bass Coast Shire Council is strengthening our own community and I hope that other public sector authorities at local, state and federal level will follow our example.’’
Victoria’s Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner Dr Niki Vincent welcomed the parental leave scheme, which was announced last week.
“It’s great to see a public sector agency leading the way by removing the definition of ‘primary and secondary carer’ and in so doing, removing assumptions around rigid gender roles for parents and carers,’’ she said.
“By paying superannuation on parental leave, the council is helping to close the superannuation gap, which currently penalises those who take time out to care for their children – predominantly women, who on average retire with significantly less superannuation and less financial security."
The council will also promote and encourage the take up of flexible work arrangements for employees with caring responsibilities to allow for working hours to be spread across 24 hours, seven days a week.
Approval for flexible agreements will be the default position and refusals must be justified to the Council CEO.
Ms Wastie said the cost of the new initiatives would not increase rates but be absorbed into existing budgets.