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BigLaw firm refreshes parental leave policy
A BigLaw firm has introduced a new parental leave policy that will be open to all staff regardless of their gender, parental role, or when they started working at the firm.
Naomi Neilson
As part of its “Great Place to Work & Grow” strategy, King Wood & Mallesons’ (KWM) Australia and Singapore offices can access a new parental leave policy designed to better support team members who choose to start or grow their families. This new policy will provide needed support to parents regardless of their parental role.
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The updated policy will entitle any new parent or carer the equal opportunity to take 26 weeks of paid parental leave, which can be taken any time within 24 months of the child’s arrival. Importantly, the 26-week paid period for KWM parents will no longer distinguish between primary or secondary carers of the child.
Super contributions for KWM staff will be paid up to 12 months of parental leave, including for any unpaid leave. Additionally, the staff can also access five days of paid leave per year to support them through fertility treatment.
This policy will come into effect for all employees, regardless of when they started permanently working at the firm. This means that new staff of the firm will commence with the option of the 26-paid leave and other benefits under the policy immediately.
Chief executive partner Berkeley Cox commented: “I am delighted to launch our new parental leave policy. We recognise and appreciate that becoming a parent is such a special time, and we wanted to make a commitment to support our people during this period, regardless of their gender or parental role.
“Our new parental leave policy also signals KWM’s strong commitment to gender equality.”
