Incentives dangled for mums to return to work

Russell Stanners said family was important to Vodafone. Photo/file

Vodafone has broken new ground with its maternity package for staff.
But Bay businesses have incentives of their own.

Vodafone has launched a new maternity policy, under which primary caregivers employed by the company who return to work for the company within 12 months of the child being born will receive full pay for a 30-hour week for the first six months.

Expectant mothers will also be offered 16 weeks pro-rata paid leave, through an initiative that tops up the Government's Paid Parental Leave to full pay.

The Government will introduce an increase to paid parental leave on April 1, from 14 weeks to 16 weeks. Next year it will be put up again to 18 weeks.

Vodafone chief executive Russell Stanners said family was important to the company.

"We're always looking for ways to make things easier for our mums and caregivers."

The policy change was aimed at attracting and retaining talented women.

Dave Burnett, Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive, said Vodafone's new policy was "pretty impressive".

Vodafone are ensuring they can get their talent back as soon as they can when they go on maternity leave.

Dave Burnett

"Vodafone are ensuring they can get their talent back as soon as they can when they go on maternity leave. With our skill shortage, particularly in the ICT [information and communications technology] industry they operate in, they see that benefit of getting their staff back into work after maternity leave ends."

Mr Burnett said working a 30-hour week for a 40-hour pay cheque was a "huge incentive" for staff to get back to work.

He was not sure how many other companies would follow suit, but said Vodafone often led the way with its HR practices.

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Early Childhood Education Centre manager Irene Osbaldiston said the polytech had an on-site childcare centre for its staff and students.

This made it easier for parents to get around the guilt they felt at getting back into work or study, she said.

"If a mum is breastfeeding, we just give her a ring when the child needs feeding. The teachers are really good at supporting parents and parenting which is a huge thing when we have such a diverse clientele."

A Zespri spokeswoman said the company followed standard practice on maternity leave for its staff but also provided a number of benefits that supported working parents.

These include enabling flexible working arrangements where practical, and a group health policy that provides discounted health cover for family members. - Additional reporting NZME