PepsiCo ANZ will increase paid parental leave for staff from 12 to 16 weeks and paid leave for secondary carers from one to two weeks in line with its commitment to supporting working families and their wellbeing.
The increases to PepsiCo’s parental-leave policy puts the allowance well above the average of 9.7 weeks and follows the company being awarded the Workplace Gender Equality Agency’s Employer of Choice citation for gender equality for the third year in a row.
PepsiCo ANZ CEO Robbert Rietbroek says allowing employees more flexibility will ensure they can enjoy a more fulfilling work-life balance.
“Smart businesses recognise that we need to support our people because they underpin our success,” he said. “We are committed to our working families and want gender equality in the boardroom and throughout our ranks and one of the ways to do this is ensuring that women and men are supported and come back to work after they become parents.”
The increased allowance takes immediate effect and is available to PepsiCo employees currently on leave.
PepsiCo is supporting International Women’s Day on March 8 as part of its commitment to gender equality in the workplace and to celebrate the achievements of women and help drive positive change for women.
Around 70 per cent of the company’s sales leadership team and more than 60 per cent of its R&D team are female, with a further 40 per cent of senior roles across ANZ filled by women.