Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) is enhancing its parental support benefits to champion gender equality and inclusion as it works towards achieving 50 per cent women representation in leadership roles by 2025.
The updated policy will provide men and women with equal access to paid primary carer’s leave and up to 12 months of superannuation contributions, even during the unpaid portion of parental leave. Secondary carers will also receive six weeks’ paid leave.
TWE will also offer access to training, resources and continued connection with the workplace to address the disadvantages often faced by those who take extended leave from work.
“We are incredibly proud to be launching what we believe is the leading parental support offering in the wine industry,” said Katie Hodgson, Chief People Officer at TWE.
Hodgson said the changes are designed to engage and retain women and increase gender diversity in leadership roles, the gender-neutral policies will benefit everybody.
“This is such an important change because it predominately affects our employees mid-career which has positive flow-on impacts for women moving into leadership positions, while also benefiting men as we recognise the importance of shared parenting responsibilities as critical in closing the gender gap,” she said.
“We’ve set a bold target of achieving 50 per cent women representation in leadership positions by 2025 and these changes form part of a range of investments we’re making to achieve this goal.”
Hodgson added: “At TWE we encourage people to bring their whole selves to work, and as part of that we’re moving to create a work environment and policy framework that support all elements of our employees’ lives.”
While 41 per cent of leadership positions at TWE are currently held by women, when it comes to the industry more broadly, estimates put female representation in leadership roles at eight to 10 per cent, highlighting just how far the sector needs to go.