Pregnant pause?

By Lisa O'Brien

Having children may not be on your radar right now, but when that time comes you deserve all the support and fair treatment you can get.

That's why it's a bummer that Australia is lagging far behind most of the developed world in legislating and financing paid maternity leave. That means most Australian employers either can't afford to, or simply won't, offer paid maternity leave.

But don't let that get in the way of your career and future family.

Choose an Australian employer who offers paid maternity leave
The following progressive Australian companies are offering some excellent paid maternity leave options for women. Next time you are changing jobs, take a look at these organisations:
• Woolworths (eight weeks)
• Macquarie University (26 weeks)
• Westpac (12 weeks)
• Mission Australia (nine weeks)
• American Express (six weeks at 50 percent pay and an additional six weeks at 50 percent pay if the mother returns to work)
• National Australia Bank (12 weeks)
• UBS AG (15 weeks)
• Australian Catholic University (12 months paid ––12 weeks at full pay and 40 weeks at 60 percent pay)
• Cummins Engine Company Ltd (15 weeks)
• Acumen Alliance (ACT) Pty Ltd (three months)
• VICSUPER (14 weeks)

Fancy an international career with paid maternity leave perks?
The Australian Government would get a fright if its best and brightest women started leaving the country in droves to marry and work in countries that offer relatively generous  maternity leave. If you fancy an international career and an exotic father for your baby, then consider the following countries:
• Canada (50 weeks compulsory paid maternity leave)
• Italy (47 weeks compulsory paid maternity leave)
• UK (39 weeks compulsory paid maternity leave)
• Japan  (14 weeks compulsory paid maternity leave)
• Sweden (18 months maternity leave)
• Belgium (15 weeks maternity leave)
• Switzerland (eight weeks leave)
• Israel (12 weeks maternity leave)

lisa@careerscoach.com.au
www.careerscoach.com.au