Australian fashion retailer DISSH has introduced a new policy offering employees with children under the age of 12 an additional two weeks of paid leave per year. The policy, implemented in March, aims to help working parents manage the demands of raising young children, such as school events or unexpected sick days.
DISSH, founded by Maree Henry and now led by her daughter Lucy Henry-Hicks, stated the initiative is intended to support parents and close the financial gap often faced by women in the workforce. The company's philosophy is that "ambition and motherhood are not opposing paths." The additional leave is designed to be flexible and is not intended for extended holidays, but rather for moments when parents need to be present for their children.
This new benefit builds upon DISSH's existing family-friendly provisions, which include paid leave for fertility treatments, surrogacy, adoption planning, and pregnancy-related illnesses, as well as flexible return-to-work options. The company has also announced plans to launch a foundation later this year.
The policy has divided public opinion online. Supporters view it as a progressive step acknowledging the challenges faced by working parents and setting a new standard for workplace support. They argue that the leave is a necessary acknowledgment of the significant demands of child-rearing.
Conversely, critics argue that the policy unfairly benefits employees with young children over those without, suggesting that individuals without children also have personal responsibilities and life events that may require time off. Some express concern about the duration of the leave, deeming two weeks excessive.
This initiative comes as the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) advocates for a reduction in the standard working week from 38 to 35 hours for full-time employees, without a loss of pay. The union movement argues that shorter working hours would improve work-life balance, reduce burnout, and enhance productivity. The ACTU also points to a widening gap between productivity and real wages, with Australian workers accumulating significant amounts of unpaid overtime annually.