#Maternity Leave
Progressive SMBs support job sharing to boost retention, says founder of OneJob TwoMinds
Smart organisations are always looking for ways to retain their top talent – and job sharing is an excellent (albeit, little understood) retention strategy, especially when it comes to career-minded women, Endi Frydman, founder of OneJob TwoMinds told Dynamic Business. For those unfamiliar with the concept of job sharing, it’s where a company employs two people […]
How to get ready for the new paid parental leave scheme
After 30 June, 2011, employers will become ‘paymasters’ responsible for distributing funds under the government’s new paid parental leave scheme, with employers urged to make sure they are ready for this added burden before July 1.
Paid Parental Leave – how will it affect small business?
With the arrival of 2011, employers should familiarise themselves with their obligations under the paid parental leave legislation which came into force on 1 January 2011.
Employers ‘overdue’ to review paid parental leave policies
The Paid Parental Leave Act 2010, which came into effect on 1 October 2010, sees the Federal Government provide tax payer-funded paid parental leave. However, in the majority of cases employers will be required to physically distribute payment to their eligible employees, from 1 July 2011.
Opposition to cut red tape for small business on paid parental leave
Tony Abbott’s Coalition through Bruce Billson, Shadow Minister for Small Business, Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs will introduce legislation to cut red tape and compliance burden for small business under Labor Government’s paid parental leave scheme.
Fair Work Ombudsman takes pregnant woman’s case to court
The Fair Work Ombudsman has launched its first pregnancy discrimination case in the Federal Court, with more women expected to approach the Ombudsman with an awareness campaign.
NAB joins Westpac in paying superannuation on parental leave
National Australia Bank (NAB) has joined rivals Westpac and StGeorge Bank in paying employees superannuation on unpaid parental leave.
Paid parental leave scheme passes the senate
Kevin Rudd’s Paid Parental Leave bill passed the Senate yesterday, bringing 18 weeks paid maternity leave to mothers beginning January 1st next year.
Paid parental leave bill gets thumbs down from business
Kevin Rudd’s draft paid parental leave bill was presented to the Senate last night, with small business is up in arms over the headaches it will create.
Give mothers the gift of parental leave this Mothers Day
This year more businesses are offering paid maternity leave schemes to pregnant women than ever before, but the EOWWA suggests that mothers till have a fight on their hands to gain fair working conditions.
Children of older mothers perform best at school: Study
According to a study conducted at Australian National University (ANU) children of older mothers perform best at school and develop advanced social skills.
Hockey – Parental leave tax a ‘Huge Windfall’
Shadow treasurer Joe Hockey has defended Tony Abbott’s paid parental leave plan, arguing the 1.7 percent levy on businesses would be a “huge windfall for big business”. Joe Hockey was forced to enter the debate after continued attacks by free market think tanks and unions alike. As well as attacks coming from within his own […]
Abbott: Paid parental leave to be funded by “big business” tax *Updated*
At an International Womens Day function, opposition Leader Tony Abbott has announced he will introduce a six-month paid parental leave scheme if he wins the next federal election. Mr Abbott said the scheme, unlike the current Government’s plan would give parents a full six months paid parental leave, verses only 18 weeks paid leave at […]
Government backpedals on maternity leave
In just six-hours, the Federal Government have backpedalled on their plans to introduce paid parental leave into the Fair Work Bill, angering Green’s Senator Sarah Hanson-Young. Senator Hanson-Young has called on the Government to rethink their stance on the issue, claiming that Australian families are “tiring of the Prime Minister’s hollow promises.” “This rapid backflip […]
Family friendly cash boost for small business
Workplace Minister Julia Gilliard has launched a $12 million plan offering small business grants of between $5,000 and $15,000 to make their workplace more family friendly. The proposed grants have been designed to help retain staff in the economic downturn, along with boosting productivity and promoting family values in the workplace. Gillard said the grants […]
No maternity pay but boost for pensioners
Department of Family and Community Services head Jeff Harmer will submit a review this week, with an expected recommendation to increase the single aged pension by up to $35 a week. The estimated cost to the government will be $2 billion a year for every $10 a week increase. The Productivity Commission’s final report on […]
A bun in the oven or a Cherry Ripe?
The issue of paid maternity leave (or lack thereof) has been back in the news this week and I have to say, as a woman without kids, I have only just looked into what all the fuss is about. Surely a civilised, developed country like Australia has adequate paid maternity leave provisions? (I should remind […]