How can Australian workplaces be made more family friendly?
Employers, policy-makers and decision-makers must be creative in ensuring Australian workplaces are made more family friendly, whether the measures are entrenched in awards or legislative requirements as minimum conditions, or come through individual policies and practices. Parental leave and carer’s leave are important starting points. Australia is one of only a few OECD countries that do not provide legislatively for paid maternity leave. We have previously argued in support of the introduction of a nationally funded system of at least 14 weeks’ paid maternity leave for all low income women and a combination of government funding and employer insurance schemes for women earning more than average weekly earnings28. We continue to support the introduction of such a scheme. We also believe that p aid paternal leave of at least 1 week should be introduced as it is an important aspect of a father-friendly workplace. Other flexible arrangements for leave are also important. Where possible
