ANU announces major expansion of parental leave

Research shows that women experience long-term negative effects on their careers and earnings as a result of periods of leave from work taken to care for children. The Australian National University (ANU) has celebrated International Women's Day by announcing a series of new measures to support female academics and parents, including a major expansion of paid parental leave. At an International Women's Day forum, Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt announced the University would match paid parental leave entitlements for partners. The arrangement means partners will be provided with up to 26 weeks of paid parental leave, which is consistent with community standards of shared parental responsibility. "Research shows that women experience long-term negative effects on their careers and earnings as a result of periods of leave from work taken to care for children," Professor Schmidt said. "Increasing flexibility in paid parental leave entitlements and supporting the role of partners in caring for children will help address gender inequality at the University." The announcement builds on the University approving the early introduction of improved parental leave entitlements, which were negotiated for inclusion in the proposed ANU Enterprise Agreement 2017-2021. Professor Schmidt also announced a new program to support high-potential female academics.