Listening Tour Diary
Paid Maternity Leave: Let’s get on with it – 21 February 2008
Some of you may know that the Federal Government has recently announced a Productivity Commission inquiry into the introduction of a paid maternity, paternity and parental leave scheme. You can read the terms of reference of the inquiry here.
I am pleased that the terms of reference include all forms of paid leave to accommodate the diverse work preferences of parents and encourage shared care. Given that it is women who give birth I think it is particularly important for the inquiry to examine how any scheme will impact on the health of mothers after birth and workforce attachment for women.
We have previously recommended as a minimum, a government-funded 14 week paid maternity leave scheme paid with two weeks paid paternity leave, at the level of the federal minimum wage. This proposed model ensures that small to medium businesses do not bear the financial and regulatory burden of an employer funded scheme. You can read my predecessor Pru Goward’s 2002 report, A Time to Value - Proposal for a National Paid Maternity Leave Scheme, for more information on HREOC’s recommendations.
It is time for Australia to play catch up and get on with the task of introducing a system of paid leave for mums and dads to deliver both long term economic growth and social well being. I encourage you to stay informed on the progress of the inquiry through the Productivity Commission website. Information on how to make a submission can also be found on this site.
Liz
Chris Said,
February 21, 2008 @ 7:47 pm
I congratulate the Federal Parliament on its recent steps to introduce a paid maternity, paternity and parental leave scheme. This is long overdue in Australia.
I do however have concerns as to not having equal paternity and maternity leave.
The danger in women being entitled to a greater period of leave to that of men is that employers may look less to employing women over men (especially in roles pertaining greater responsibility) as women would have more time off work and thus the employer lose a particular skill set/employee during that period.
I would hope that there would be an equal maternity and paternity leave of say 3 months each (14 weeks) for both parents or, alternatively, a shared caring scheme o some sort. In any case, any scheme should ensure that women (especially of child bearing age) are not disadvantaged over men in their search for work.
Additionally, that men would only have 2 weeks of paid paternity leave may be very detrimental to the child where, foir example, the mother is incapable of looking after the child due to serious illness or dies during child birth. During this period it would be essential that the child has someone to look after it full-time in this critical stage of child-hood development.
Rad Dad Said,
February 27, 2008 @ 3:24 pm
This is great, good to see this issue get some legs again.
My wife had the benefit of paid maternity leave (12 weeks) and it really helped. Friends who don’t have such things find it much harder - one mother I know went back to work in about a month which was too soon for her.
It’s pretty tough in the first few months esp. for new mothers so anything the govt. can do would help.
The previous poster’s concern that employers would discriminate against ‘potentially pregnant’ females is def. a concern too - I’ve heard of many people being asked at job interviews about their families and plans and it’s obvious what they’re fishing for.
As for paternity leave - 2 weeks is a good help - many fathers take annual leave to be around to help out, so this is welcome, also if it was mandated and govt paid then it’d get around hard case employers rejecting the leave.
It’s not a huge amount of time off for the dads but I think it’s worth pushing for in the beginning. Got to start somewhere.
Luke Said,
February 28, 2008 @ 11:05 am
I agree with Rad Dad that we have to start somewhere in regards to paternity leave. I do have concerns, however, that we are still providing for very traditional roles to be played out from the time a baby is born.
Not all employees receive annual leave (eg casual employees) to take when a child enters their life. Again while we emphasise shared parenting and highlight the levels of unpaid and paid work men and women do in and outside of the home, we differentiate between maternity and paternity leave - rather than discuss parental leave. I wonder how many men would say they have been discriminated against based on their family plans? Probably very few would claim this has occurred at the hands of their employer as regardless of their plans they will wind up being require to just keep on working.
Anonymous Said,
March 3, 2008 @ 4:15 pm
I would definately applaud the government to have an inquiry into paid maternity leave. As a current public servant and have been for the last 3-4 years on a contract basis. I have been advised that I am not eligible for any paid maternity leave and they are unable to hold a position for me if I would like to return.
On the other hand, my husband is offered paid paternity leave.
As this is a very exciting time in both myself and my husbands life it is also a time of uncertainity as to where my career is headed.
Tamara Said,
May 10, 2008 @ 1:15 pm
I agree that women should have government funded maternity leave; and that provision should be made for possible discrimination against women from potential employers.
As to the length of the leave for women as opposed to men, women are the ones who actually bear the baby, in whatever way that is, and who actually have to do the psychological and physical work of becoming mothers.
While I support a lengthy paternity leave for men who are the primary caregivers for their children, by and large women are the ones who take on this role.
Becoming a family does require time, and I believe that fathers would benefit from a longer period of time than they currently take, but our economic culture may not be ready to support men taking 14 weeks as is proposed for women.
My main concern is the current trend to only grant fathers paternity leave if their partner’s maternity leave is not being taken at the same time. This usually leads to fathers taking annual leave when their babies are due. This may be stating the obvious, but having a baby is not a holiday. It is an amazing life-changing event, but isn’t nearly as relaxing as taking a well-earned break.