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Baker McKenzie unveils 26-week paid parental leave policy
One of the world’s biggest law firms has upped its paid parental leave entitlement from 18 to 26 weeks, available to all Australian employees.
Jerome Doraisamy
Global law firm Baker McKenzie is now offering employees 26 weeks of paid parental leave for all its Australian employees who welcome a new child, to be used within the first two years of the birth/adoption of the child.
The benefit – which is now in effect – is available to all employees, with the firm encouraging males/co-parents to access it.
Moreover, superannuation contributions will be paid on unpaid leave up to 52 weeks (noting that super is already paid on the parental leave payments).
Speaking about the bolstered policy, Baker McKenzie national managing partner Anthony Foley said: “As is currently the case, access to parental leave is available regardless of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or caring status and is available within the first two years of the birth of their child. In addition, our firm does not distinguish between primary and secondary carers.”
Recognising the importance of providing support on return to work from parental leave, the firm noted in a statement, it will now increase – from one month to three – the budget relief provided to lawyers in order to help them transition back to work.
Baker chair of inclusion and diversity Anne-Marie Allgrove added: “Becoming a parent is one of the most exciting, and challenging, journeys we embark on in life.
“Whether you are having your first child or your fourth, we hope that our policy changes will help towards our people having a fulfilling home life and a successful career.”
Lawyers Weekly has reported extensively on the bolstering of parental leave and related policies by Australian law firms in recent times. You can read those stories below:
- Macpherson Kelley launches updated 20-week parental leave policy;
- Bartier Perry unveils 20-week gender-neutral parental leave policy;
- K&L Gates launches ‘progressive’ new parental leave policy;
- How Clayton Utz is tackling ‘bias and stigma about working parents’;
- Why ‘family-friendly’ policies are so important to Holding Redlich;
- HSF to pay super on unpaid leave, extends parental leave allowances;
- DLA Piper introduces fertility leave policy;
- G+T gives staff up to 10% pay rise, expands parental leave;
- BigLaw firm refreshes parental leave policy; and
- Ashurst launches 26-week parental leave policy.
Jerome Doraisamy
Jerome Doraisamy is the editor of Lawyers Weekly. A former lawyer, he has worked at Momentum Media as a journalist on Lawyers Weekly since February 2018, and has served as editor since March 2022. He is also the host of all five shows under The Lawyers Weekly Podcast Network, and has overseen the brand's audio medium growth from 4,000 downloads per month to over 60,000 downloads per month, making The Lawyers Weekly Show the most popular industry-specific podcast in Australia. Jerome is also the author of The Wellness Doctrines book series, an admitted solicitor in NSW, and a board director of Minds Count.
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