The policy will give mothers and fathers six months paid parental leave, regardless of how long the employee has been with the company.
The Australian policy, considered one of the best in the world, comes as part of a global roll-out of ambitious maternity and paternity leave policy from the alcoholic beverages company.
Today we announce that we are beginning a global roll-out of an ambitious maternity & paternity leave policy as part of our work to create a fully #inclusive & #diverse workforce. Find out more here: https://t.co/76SjLZNjSm #FlexibleWorkingDay #FWDay2019 pic.twitter.com/rV8Ft5ml2P
— Diageo News (@Diageo_News) May 22, 2019
Diageo Australia’s managing director David Smith told 7 News the new policy is about building confidence in employees and changing the conversation around work and parenthood.
“It turns the conversation from women having babies to men and women raising families,” he said.
“It will help nurture talent and build careers without worrying about what’s going to happen to them.”
The global roll-out of parental leave policy follows Diageo’s announcement last month that all parents employed by the company in the UK are eligible for 26 weeks of paid leave, retaining benefits and bonuses regardless of gender.
“We are committed to creating a fully inclusive and diverse workforce and we strongly believe that businesses play a significant role in shaping the future of society,” said Mairéad Nayager, chief HR officer at Diageo.
“Global businesses like Diageo must make bold moves on policies and the environments in which their employees work to ensure that the progress people deserve happens.”
In 2018, the company was named by Thompson Reuters as the fourth most inclusive and diverse company in the world.
40 percent of Diageo’s executive committee and 44 percent of Diageo’s board are women, establishing the company as a leader in workforce inclusion and diversity.