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Bartier Perry unveils 20-week gender-neutral parental leave policy
Sydney-based law firm Bartier Perry, which has 100 lawyers and partners, has introduced a parental leave policy that is, it says, “among the strongest” in Australia’s legal profession.
Jerome Doraisamy
The new parental leave policy aims, the firm said, to reflect its continued commitment to providing support and flexibility to all working parents, regardless of gender, and recognises the diversity within modern families.
The policy has been announced internally at the firm and has now taken effect.
Included in the policy is up to 20 weeks of paid leave at one’s usual pay rate (regardless of gender), superannuation contributions for the full 20 weeks of leave, and an offer of flexibility for parental leave to be taken at any point after the birth of a child, within the first 24 months.
The firm’s policy removes the definitions of “primary” and “secondary” carers and allows employees to take leave at the same time as their partner.
Speaking about the policy, Bartier Perry chief executive Riana Steyn (pictured) said: “There’s been a lot of work done in this space in recent years and our starting point was to look at the data across over 50 law firms in Australia to ensure we not only followed best practice but led it.
“Parental leave is not simply about the time off, it is about putting together a comprehensive package that is fair, practical and applies to all parents whatever their specific circumstances.”
The firm’s research, Ms Steyn continued, highlighted that there are “significant inconsistencies” in the market regarding gender-neutral leave, payment of superannuation, eligibility, and flexibility as to when leave could be taken.
“Our approach then was to look at best practice in all of those areas and put in place a policy that would be among the strongest in the market,” she proclaimed.
“I’m proud of the ambition and conviction those across the firm have shown to make sure our parental leave across all areas is second to none.”
The policy introduction at Bartier Perry follows similar updated measures by global firms K&L Gates (in March 2022), Herbert Smith Freehills (also in March 2022), King & Wood Mallesons (in October 2021), and Ashurst (in July 2021).
Lawyers Weekly also spoke with BigLaw firm Clayton Utz in April of this year about how its parental leave program helps female professionals get into senior leadership positions and – post-budget – explored whether governmental changes to paid parental leave will help lawyers.
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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