Launched in 2019, the ‘Share the Care’ program made QBE the first general insurer in Australia and the first organization in New Zealand to drop the primary and secondary carer labels among its employees and adopt an inclusive and flexible paid parental leave scheme.
“We’re pleased to be able to offer an additional six-weeks paid parental leave to all our QBE parents, which can be accessed flexibly if required,” said Sue Houghton, CEO, QBE Australia Pacific.
“We recognise families come in all shapes and sizes with varying needs at different life stages and we are committed to providing a range of options to help them balance both family and career responsibilities,” she added.
Apart from adding six weeks to the offering, QBE has also removed the qualifying period – meaning new employees can access the benefit from their first day on the job.
“It’s great to see QBE expand its gender-neutral paid parental leave allowance from 12 to 18 weeks, which demonstrates a real commitment towards ensuring a more inclusive and family friendly work environment,” said Emma Walsh, the founder of Family Friendly Workplaces and Parents at Work.
“Organisations that prioritise the work-life balance of employees and recognise the importance of family foster a positive and productive work culture that attracts and retains top talent. Increasing paid parental leave is an investment in the long-term success and growth of a business.”
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