Parents At Work

Hybrid Work Isn’t Going Anywhere – And That’s a Good Thing for Families and Business Flexible work arrangements like hybrid models have become more than a trend, they’re now a workplace expectation, especially for working parents and carers. The benefits are undeniable: - Better work-life balance - Increased employee wellbeing - Improved productivity and performance - Greater talent retention and attraction - A more inclusive, family-friendly workplace culture But hybrid work doesn’t magically work on its own, it requires thoughtful planning, inclusive policies, and ongoing leadership support to truly deliver value for both employees and the organisation. The Australian HR Institute (AHRI) 2025 report on Hybrid and Flexible Working Practices confirms this reality, highlighting that hybrid and flexible work is not only embedded in workplace culture across Australia, but essential for employee satisfaction and retention. Read the full article here: https://hubs.la/Q03fG_fg0 #FlexibleWork #HybridWork

🎙️ Check out the latest episode of the Social Enterprise podcast featuring Kiri Stejko from Parents At Work and Family Friendly Workplaces! In this episode, Kiri sheds light on the challenges faced by working parents and caregivers and how leading organisations are stepping up to create more supportive, family-friendly workplaces. From reimagining parental leave to embracing flexible work options, they discuss the powerful impact of creating a family-inclusive culture that helps mental health and delivers real business benefits. Listen now on Apple Podcasts and Spotify - link below! #socialenterprise #genderequality #inclusiveworkplaces #familyfriendlyworkplaces

"Menopause has been the missing life stage in workplace wellbeing for too long. It’s time to normalise the conversation, provide real support, and create a culture where no one feels they have to struggle in silence.” – Thea O'Connor, Menopause At Work. At our latest Parents At Work Employer Member insights session, we were joined by workplace wellbeing expert Thea O’Connor to explore a long-overdue topic: why menopause matters at work, and how employers can better support people through this significant life stage. Midlife and older women are the fastest-growing workforce demographic, yet menopause has historically been overlooked in wellbeing strategies. That’s changing fast. 🔍 Common concerns we unpacked: ❓“Won’t talking about menopause just reinforce stigma?” → Actually, silence is what fuels stigma. Open, honest conversations break down taboos and build understanding. ❓“We don’t know how to start the conversation.” → Begin with awareness days like World Menopause and Work Day (Sept 7) or World Menopause Day (Oct 18), share personal stories, or gather anonymous feedback through surveys. ❓“Our male leaders don’t see this as relevant.” → Link menopause support to wider business goals like retention, equity and wellbeing or their personal lives. Many are fathers, partners or managers of people going through this life stage. [Image Description: Graphic, Employer Insights Session, Menopause At Work Insights and Strategies for a Supportive Workplace, “The workplace doesn’t need a menopause revolution – it needs thoughtful, practical evolution.” - Thea O’Connor] #Menopause #MenopauseAtWork See more about our partnership with Menopause At Work: https://hubs.la/Q03dr2R80

This Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we celebrate the strengths, perspectives, and talents that neurodivergent individuals bring to our workplaces and communities. Our recent Work Life Wellbeing Session, 'Neurodiversity: Awareness, Inclusion & Support for Parents & Carers' saw over 1,000 people come together to learn, share, and break down barriers to inclusion. At Parents At Work, we’re committed to creating workplaces where neurodivergent employees and their families feel valued, supported, and empowered. Yet, many parents and carers still face misconceptions, stigma, and a lack of workplace support when raising or caring for neurodivergent children. That’s why we’re working with organisations to: ➡️ Increase awareness and education about neurodiversity in the workplace ➡️ Provide resources and tools to support employees navigating neurodivergence for themselves or their families ➡️ Encourage inclusive policies and workplace cultures that allow everyone to thrive 📣 As part of our Work & Family Program, we’re ensuring that conversations on neurodiversity continue: ➡️ New resources in our Work + Family Hub, offer expert insights and practical guidance for neurodivergent employees and parents. ➡️ Upcoming Employer Member Event on the 6th of May: 'Inclusive Workplaces – How Organisations Are Harnessing the Neurodiversity Advantage' By embracing neurodiversity, workplaces can create psychologically safe environments where individuals feel seen, heard, and valued for who they are. Read the article: https://hubs.la/Q03cFhh50 #Neurodiversity #Inclusion #WorkplaceWellbeing

We are proud to celebrate the launch of Family Friendly Workplaces UK in partnership with Working Families, a huge milestone in our mission to create more family-inclusive workplaces worldwide! With businesses across Australia already leading the way in embedding family-friendly policies, the expansion of this movement into the United Kingdom marks an exciting step forward. Employers now have the opportunity to set a new standard for supporting their people, ensuring that employees don’t have to choose between their care responsibilities and career progression. Explore how Family Friendly Workplaces UK can support your organisation's journey towards being an employer of choice and leading the way in workplace transformation: https://lnkd.in/eggkkiqx #FamilyFriendlyWorkplaces #WorkingFamilies 

We’re thrilled to celebrate our partnership with Nine and the launch of Nine’s Work + Family Hub and the Parent Kit App! These dedicated resources are designed to support Nine employees through key moments in their work and family journey, helping them balance their careers and caregiving responsibilities. This initiative is a cornerstone of Nine’s broader Families@Nine program and their new parental leave policy which offers: - 18 weeks of paid parental leave for all permanent employees, promoting shared caregiving without distinguishing between primary and secondary carers. - No minimum tenure requirement, ensuring all permanent employees are eligible for parental leave benefits from day one. - Additional financial support, including continued superannuation contributions for the first 12 months of parental leave and counting this period toward continuous service for long service leave. - Pre-Child Arrival Leave, providing paid leave for fertility treatments, surrogacy, adoption, and fostering appointments. - Support for unexpected situations, such as unlimited pregnancy-related sick leave and neonatal and postpartum care leave when a child requires hospital care after birth. At Parents At Work, we understand the challenges of balancing work and family life. That's why we collaborate with leading employers like Nine to create family-friendly and inclusive workplaces where individuals can thrive both professionally and personally. We’re proud to work with Nine as they continue to champion the needs of working parents and caregivers. Do you want to find out how you can benefit from a Work + Family Solutions program like Nine? Enquire now: https://lnkd.in/dhpKyxBT #FutureOfWork #EmployeeWorkplaceSolutions

Thought Leadership: Why Family-Friendly Workplaces Are Essential for the Sandwich Generation Did you know that 1 in 8 Australians are part of the Sandwich Generation—balancing careers while caring for both children and aging parents? With increasing caregiving responsibilities, employees in this group are facing immense pressure, impacting their productivity, wellbeing, and retention. So, how can businesses step up? By embracing family-friendly workplace policies, companies can provide the support employees need to thrive both at work and at home. Flexible work arrangements, caregiving leave, and supportive cultures aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re essential for attracting and retaining top talent - to productivity - to engagement - to absenteeism and so much more.... Check out Family Friendly Workplaces on why businesses that prioritise family-friendly policies are setting themselves up for long-term success. 👇 📖 Read more: https://lnkd.in/gQ_ZW-Kr Melissa Reader Bernard Salt AM Ann Sherry AO Tony Stuart Annika Freyer Angela Priestley Georgie Dent Annabel Reid Lisa Annese Alison Hernandez Ariane Virtue Nicole Breeze #SandwichGeneration #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeWellbeing #FutureOfWork Parents At Work

The future of work is evolving fast, and flexibility is at the heart of it. Last week, Emma Walsh hosted an event with support of HESTA’s Lizzy Keenan where industry leaders gathered and shared how they’re tackling the challenges and seizing the opportunities of hybrid work, four-day work weeks, and employee wellbeing. We heard from forward-thinking leaders on how they’re balancing business needs with employee wellbeing. A big thank you to our speakers: Karen Crew, General Manager, People & Culture Partnering and Enablement, HESTA, Andrew Retschko, Senior Executive, Talent Acquisition, Inclusion and Sustainability, Medibank, Caroline Henshaw, Chief People Officer, Mantel Group. Here are just a few of the key takeaways: - Hybrid work isn’t going anywhere – and it’s driving results. - The 4-day work week is more than a trend – it’s transforming work. - Wellbeing is the future and flexibility supports it. - Trust + Accountability = Success. The big question for employers: Are you evolving with the times, or resisting change? Because one thing is certain, flexibility is here to stay. The businesses that adapt will lead the future of work. Catch up on all the insights from our event here: https://hubs.la/Q036Wgmb0 #FutureOfWork #FlexibleWork #HybridWork #FourDayWeek Sally McNamara Amy Dang [Image Description 1: A wide-angle view of a speaker at a podium addressing an audience, with panellists seated below a large screen displaying survey data.] [Image Description 2: A panel discussion in an office lounge, with four speakers seated on a curved sofa, engaged in conversation. The moderator holds a microphone and laptop.] [Image Description 3: Four event speakers posing in front of wooden steps, smiling and wearing name tags.]

Big news for Australian families! The federal government’s latest childcare reform is a positive step forward for working families across the country. From January 2026, families will have access to a minimum of three days of subsidised childcare, regardless of how much they work or study. This change is set to benefit over 66,000 families in the first year alone, with more than 100,000 families gaining access to extra care. Why does this matter? - More affordable access to early learning: supporting children’s development and giving parents greater flexibility. - Reduced financial and mental load: helping parents balance work and family life. - Better opportunities for women to stay in the workforce: enabling greater participation and career progression. Many working families struggle to find flexible, affordable care, often having to choose between their careers and their children’s needs. This policy is a welcome relief for many and a step towards universal access to early childhood education. Supporting working families means supporting Australia’s future. Let’s keep pushing for policies that make it easier for parents to thrive at work and at home. https://hubs.la/Q036Jl-20 The Parenthood UNICEF Australia Thrive By Five #ChildcareReform #SupportingFamilies #FutureOfWork #WorkingFamilies

4-Day Workweeks? Hybrid Models? Return to Office Mandates? Tell Us How You Work in 2025 In a rapidly changing global landscape, leading employers understand that commitment to supporting employees is not just a value it's a strategic advantage. It's essential to assess how our workplaces are adapting to these changes. Our Employer Pulse Survey seeks insights on how organisations manage flexible work. Take the survey and receive our 2025 Flexible Work Insights Report! Your input will also inform discussions at our upcoming event this Thursday: 'Flexible Work 2.0: The Trends You Can’t Ignore in 2025'. Not a member? Email us at info@parentsatwork.com.au to learn how you can attend. Take the Survey Now: https://hubs.la/Q035Wg2M0 #FutureOfWork #FlexibleWork #Leadership