Australia’s largest childcare provider faces activist pressure to give staff paid parental leave Shareholder lobby group says parents trust G8 Education to look after children but carers ‘are not supported to look after their own’.
A G8 spokesperson said the company provides team members with meaningful benefits that include staff childcare discounts, six weeks annual leave for teachers and above-award pay.
Parental schemes are now expected among major companies, with some legal and accounting firms offering up to six months of paid leave in addition to the government’s minimum wage scheme.
The chief executive of advocacy group The Parenthood, Georgie Dent, said while parental leave is primarily a health policy, it also has financial advantages for companies.
Australian employers commonly offer paid parental leave – in addition to the government scheme – to attract and retain workers in a competitive jobs market.
