One of Australia’s largest marketing communications companies, Clemenger Group, has launched a new parental leave policy for staff. The change means that there is a maximum leave entitlement of 20 weeks for parents.

The change also allows secondary carers to a maximum leave entitlement of four weeks, to provide extra support for employees who have started a family.

Clemenger says the new policy is designed to support modern-day parents who require realistic parental leave policies which offer a healthier work and life balance. This change will also help address the marketing and communications industry’s talent shortage, as companies continue to look at new ways to capture and retain the best talent.

The new policy states that employees that have completed three years’ continuous service or more are entitled to 20 weeks of leave, those who have completed two years are entitled to 10 weeks of leave and those who have completed one year are entitled to eight weeks of leave.

The policy for partners is those who have completed three years’ continuous service or more are entitled to four weeks of paid partner’s leave, those who have completed two years are entitled to two weeks and those who have completed one year are entitled to two weeks of paid partner’s leave

Robert Morgan, executive chairman of Clemenger Group, said the new parental leave policy is just the start of what is to come in a new wave of companies extending support for working parents.

“Having or adopting a child is a wonderful, life-changing moment. Balancing parenthood with work, can be challenging. This competitive offer from Clemenger Group shows we are listening and adapting to give our employees the best possible chance to succeed in the workplace, and at home,” Mr Morgan said.

“Equality is the cornerstone of our people strategy at Clemenger Group, and this change to our parental leave policy is just one step in improving our efforts to create and nurture meaningful professional pathways for all of our people.”

The parental leave benefits will also be supplemented by broader support programs. These will nclude parent groups and mentors, a Keeping in Touch program designed to keep employees feeling connected, childcare referrals and further support for parents at home.

Melanie Spence, senior account director at Clemenger BBDO Sydney is expecting her second child in late September said: “Going on maternity leave can be terrifying and I felt worried last time with my first child whether I’d be able to make it work given the financial pressures. This time is different. This new policy gives me much more reassurance.”

Jake Ford, managing partner at Traffik will be taking secondary carer’s leave in November said: “As a first-time dad, it’s a special time and knowing I can take extra leave to support my partner is really valuable.”