Allens today announced a comprehensive package of enhanced parental support measures to better help its people sustainably balance work and family.
The enhanced parents package, announced after a consultation process with people across the firm, includes personalised support to manage the transition; the expansion of parental leave by removing the distinction between primary and secondary carer; payment of superannuation on the unpaid component of parental leave; and a formal, temporary break from billable expectations upon return to work.
Managing Partner, Richard Spurio, said: ‘Many of us grapple with the challenges of balancing career and family and we are always looking for ways that we as a firm can assist. We think these important changes, designed in conjunction with our people, will be another big step that can help manage those challenges’.
Valeska Bloch, Partner and member of the firm’s Inclusion and Diversity Council, is really proud of the package: ‘As someone about to head on my second parental leave, it is great to have my role as a parent supported.
‘In the past I think people have been worried that taking time out to care for a new child would be a career limiting move. I actually found it to be the opposite – parenting helped me build skills that I feel have made me a much better lawyer, leader and colleague,’ she said.
Package summary
| A modern parental leave policy that removes the distinction between primary and non-primary carers and allows employees to take leave at the same time as their partner |
| 18 weeks paid parental leave for all eligible employees |
| Superannuation on the unpaid component of parental leave (up to a maximum of 34 weeks) |
| A formal, temporary break from billable expectations for legal employees returning from mid to long-term parental leave |
| Personalised support for our people through all stages of their parental leave journey, supplemented by 1:1 and group coaching |
