OC&C Strategy Consultants has announced the launch of the firm’s fully equalised paid parental leave policy for all employees in a global move towards gender equality. Rolling out the equalised policy across all 12 offices, Australia, mainland China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Netherlands, US and UK is a market-leading move.
The policy, implemented as of May 1st, 2023, promotes shared care through both equalising paid leave and introducing flexibility for how that leave is taken; allowing all parents, regardless of gender, to make decisions based on what works for them.
The firm is also providing support before, during and after leave – including ramp-up options that help with a smoother transition back to work, parental coaching and flexible hours.
Will Hayllar, OC&Cs Global Managing Partner explains, “OC&C’s strategy is simple: to be the best home for the best strategy talent. We have done a good job over the last 35 years building that “best home” but work still needs to be done to make the career sustainable for primary carers, who are often women.”
“We are extremely excited about the impact fully equalised leave will have on parents’ ability to form truly special bonds with their children, on the careers of our parent colleagues and their partners, and on OC&C’s ability to attract and retain the very best talent,” he added.
Danielle Lestrade, OC&Cs Global Director of People comments, “We live in a time of dual-career households and traditional parental policies are increasingly coming under scrutiny for not reflecting this dynamic. Instead, these traditions push birth givers, mothers, or primary adopters to do the lion’s share of early life childcare while the other parent returns to work.”
“We wholeheartedly believe that becoming a parent should not be a barrier to advancing in your career and for the past four years we have been evolving our entire parental strategy to reflect this,” he said further.
Jeremy Barker, OC&Cs Australian Country Managing Partner adds, “We are excited to be rolling out our equalised paid parental leave policy locally – we believe it is market leading and will help position OC&C Strategy Consultants as the best home for the best strategy talent in Australia.”
