New Parent Leave - Australia

ZenHR have announced equalisation of leave for new parents at 16 weeks each. Note that this does not impact countries in which more than 16 weeks is the norm - 16 weeks for moms and dads who work at ZenHR is the new minimum. Our philosophy is that family units these days are unique and diverse and we want to recognise the changing roles parents play in the family unit. This includes LGBT families and adoptive parents - basically, ALL new parents!

Some notes for dads and other primary carers (birth moms should refer to the maternity policy):

You may take 16 weeks of paid leave at (or very shortly after) the time of the birth of the child.
This must be taken in two blocks within a 6 month period of the birth.
This is not a requirement - if you would rather come to work during this period, you can! You are not compensated if you decide not to take the leave!
This does not impact any parental leave that may apply at a later point. This relates only to the initial period following the birth.

You must have 12 months of service to be eligible for this benefit.
If your country’s statutory policy gives you 16 weeks as it is (e.g. via a shared parental leave programme in Denmark or the UK), you can’t also take the 16 weeks from ZenHR. The spirit of the 16 weeks provided by ZenHR is to give all dads and non-birth moms a baseline of 16 weeks no matter where they are located.

If you recently became a parent:

You can take some additional weeks’ leave in addition to what you have already taken.
Discuss it with you manager and agree the dates, seeking to minimise disruption.
Please take this additional leave soon - before the end of the calendar year.

If you are soon to become a parent:

Notify your manager of the date of the birth and confirm how much leave and in how many blocks you will be taking it.

Let HR know the dates for tracking.