KCGM has made significant changes to its parental leave policy, allowing employees to take up to 22 weeks paid parental or adoption leave.
The new policy also allows for a four week return-to-work payment and ten days paid secondary carers leave.
These changes will help address the gender pay gap that often occurs when parents are out of the workforce for extended periods, according to KCGM.
The company stated that it is “proud to offer eligible employees access to family-friendly flexible work arrangements when back at work.”
KCGM will also provide 10 days paid domestic violence leave, providing critical financial support to affected employees who may be victims of violence at home.
The company’s parental support business resource group (BRG) team leader Julia Rowatt said the new procedure sets KCGM apart as an employer of choice.
“The parental support BRG’s mission is to improve parental support for all employees. We also work with those currently on parental leave to assist them in staying connected with the business and ensure a smooth transition back to work,” she said.
“We’re thrilled that KCGM has become an industry leader in parental and other leave needs. Our employees all live locally and it’s important that KCGM is a family-friendly employer, enabling flexibility to get the best from home and work life in Kalgoorlie-Boulder.”
Additional parental leave benefits will also include superannuation and long service leave accruals, which will be paid on return to work, with both primary and secondary carers, regardless of gender, able to qualify.
It will also include people in a de facto relationship, regardless of sex or gender, and a graduated return-to-work on full pay and return to work incentive payment.