Changes are “just the first of many,” the firm’s chair says
Duncan Cotterill is ensuring that its employees who are working parents get the best support from the firm.
The leading firm has introduced a new leave policy, which includes top-ups to government parental leave payments and leave accruals, as well as personalised care packages. The changes, which are effective across the firm’s New Zealand offices, are just the start, said Struan McOmish, the firm’s chair.
“Duncan Cotterill is committed to supporting our employees who choose to work and be parents. This new policy is just the first of many changes that will see us invest more time and resource into supporting our working parents,” he said.
Duncan Cotterill said that it will top up the capped government parental leave payments for primary caregivers to 100% of salary for up to 15 weeks, based on tenure. Government-funded payments in New Zealand are currently capped at $585 before tax for employees.
The firm also said that it will top up the annual leave accrued by returning employees during the leave period to be worth 100% of its value.
Employees can also choose from various care packages, which can include nappies, pre-cooked meals, or domestic-cleaning services.
Duncan Cotterill said that new parents who are not primary caregivers are already entitled under the firm’s policy to an additional two weeks’ paid leave.
