REA Group encourages dads to take parental leave and take care of their baby

A GROWING number of companies are encouraging their male employees to take parental leave and play an increased role in raising their children.

A GROWING number of companies are encouraging their male employees to take parental leave and play an increased role in raising children.

REA Group, which is majority owned by News Corp Australia, is the latest company to introduce a generous parental leave scheme for both primary and secondary carers, in a move designed to enable the career potential of women by prompting men to take up more of the slack at home.

The property advertising firm has announced it will provide all primary caregivers six months parental leave at full pay, while all secondary carers will be eligible for three months leave — the first six weeks on full pay and the second on half pay.

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REA Group employee Shane Gibb, big brother Nate and newborn Jesse. Picture: supplied

The decision sees REA Group join the ranks of companies like Aurizon and PwC.

The rail transport company recently introduced a ‘share care’ policy to encourage men to spend time at home with their newborns, and the financial advisory firm offers both mums and dads the chance to take 18 weeks of paid parental leave if they are the primary carer anytime in a child’s first 12 month.

REA Group’s executive general manager of people and culture, Barb Hyman, said the new parental leave scheme was part of the company’s ambitious plan to boost the representation of women in technical roles.

“Women will not fulfil their career potential if they don’t have supportive partners at home,” Ms Hyman said.

“The average age of our employees is 34, and a lot of young people one day decide to have a family — we want to hold on to our people and for them to think they can balance the best of their personal life with an REA Life,” she said.

REA Group employee Shane Gibb is hoping to use the new scheme to take time off later this year to look after his one-month-old son.

Mr Gibb said he believed it was very important for dads to spend whatever time they could with their babies.

“You also get to really focus on your family and not be torn between work and home life, which with the lack of sleep can be pretty stressful,” he said.

“And most importantly it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to bond with your newborn.”

Employers are increasingly encouraging dads to take parental leave and spend time bonding with their newborn babies. Picture: istock

Workplace Gender Equality Agency director Libby Lyons said leave arrangements that recognise the caring responsibilities of dads as well as mums are important in giving new fathers confidence looking after their baby.

“They also help to establish caring arrangements that allow both partners to balance work with family,” she said.

“It gives men the support they need to enjoy this special time, and it also allows their partners to more easily return to work.”

REA Group will make its new generous PPL arrangements available to all employees after six months service, and superannuation payments will be made throughout the period.

The company’s CEO Tracey Fellows said, “we are very proud to be one of the first Australian technology companies to offer this kind of benefit to our employees”.

Originally published as REA Group encourages dads to take parental leave and take care of their baby