Fuel company pays mums bonuses for returning to work - Women's Agenda

Fuel company pays mums bonuses for returning to work

Caltex Australia wants to get primary carers who take paid parental leave back to work. But rather than focusing on penalising those who don’t return within a certain period, the company instead announced late last year that it’ll be offering a bonus to those who do.

The “BabyCare” initiative sees returning parents receive a 12% annual bonus until their child is two years old. Other incentives include $1500 worth of emergency childcare services through Dial-an-Angel, as well as advice on what type of childcare services will best suit the employee.

According to Caltex, the scheme was necessary given the large amount of female employees the company was losing after they had children, and will quickly pay for itself against such losses.

Caltex Australia chair Elizabeth Byran said the initiative assistsemployees with the financial and emotional challenges associated with becoming a parent.

“[The package] provides these employees with both the practical support and flexibility to make the transition easier. Caltex benefits as experienced, skilled employees return to work and contribute to the company’s business success,” she said while announcing the initiative in September.

This year, the firm will also introduce facilities to help nursing mothers at its major Australian offices.

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