Global creative platform, 99designs by Vistaprint has announced a new parental leave policy offering 18 weeks leave at full pay for every new parent – as well as continued superannuation contributions during any additional unpaid leave in the child’s first 18 months.
The Melbourne-head-quartered company is committed to providing equal leave entitlements for all new parents and guardians, and has removed internal policy distinctions between primary and secondary carers, adoptive parents, those in surrogacy arrangements or any other family structure.
99designs currently employs 185 people and the policy applies to all Australia and US based staff who have worked at the company for more than one day. Leave can be used flexibly within the first 18 months, and the same entitlements apply in the tragic event of stillbirth or neonatal death.
99designs by Vistaprint CEO, Patrick Llewellyn, said: “It’s inspiring how many secondary carers have already led the way in taking extended leave and choosing to work flexibly after becoming parents at 99designs – they have shown us something we wanted to amplify throughout the entire organisation. We have a responsibility to be the change we want to see in the world, and we’re excited to formalise a policy that creates equal opportunities for our team to balance both work and family by removing labels and expectations around what that means for individuals.”
Bee Hepburn, Senior Director of Community & People at 99designs by Vistaprint, adds: “Parenting is not a one-size-fits all experience. Alongside leave entitlements and Keeping in Touch Days, we want to give our team the freedom and flexibility to decide how they approach caring for a new child, supporting their partner or family unit, and returning to work when ready – however that may be.”
This change has been made alongside a number of other new policies introduced to reflect the fundamental shift in ways of working over the past two years. 99designs has introduced a framework that prioritises asynchronous ways of working across the business. Reducing the need for constant real-time meetings allows for fluid working hours that enable employees to work in ways that suit their individual lifestyles and schedules, opening up opportunities for increased flexibility in many different formats and roles.
Additionally, teams have access to a suite of tools to support physical and mental health, personal development, and annual bonuses dedicated to personal wellbeing ($605 AUD) and creating a beautiful, inspiring home workspace ($300 AUD).
About 99designs by Vistaprint: With a worldwide community of more than 150,000 talented freelance designers, 99designs byVistaprint is the global creative platform that makes it easy for clients and creators to work together to create designs they love. Spanning more than 180 countries, the 99designs creative community has earned more than $360m USD on the platform to date. 99designs.com
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