Clemenger Group increases parental leave offering for staff
Clemenger Group has introduced new a parental leave policy, which will allow up to 20 weeks of leave for those who have been at its agencies for three or more years.
The policy will be implemented group-wide, as Clemenger said it stemmed from the “understanding that now more than ever, modern-day parents are requiring realistic parental leave policies which offer a healthier work and life balance”.
Those who have completed two years of service will be entitled to ten weeks of leave and one year entitles staff to eight weeks. The new policy also entitles those who have completed three years at Clemenger to four weeks of paid partner’s leave.
The policy will apply to staff across CHE Proximity, Clemenger, Traffik and Porter Novelli.
Robert Morgan
The group also said that it hopes the policy will help to address the current industry talent shortage, as “companies continue to look at new ways to capture and retain the best talent”.
Clemenger Group executive chairman, Robert Morgan, said that the new policy shows the group is “listening and adapting” to give its employees the best possible chance to succeed in the workplace, and at home”.
“Having or adopting a child is a wonderful, life-changing moment. Balancing parenthood with work can be challenging.
“Equality is the cornerstone of our people strategy at Clemenger Group, and this change to our parental leave policy is just one step in improving our efforts to create and nurture meaningful professional pathways for all of our people.”
Morgan also said that Clemenger Group has seen a 12% annual rise in female staff being promoted to managerial roles, but that there “is always more that can be done”.
“We are committed to maintaining this trajectory of women in leadership across the group.”
Earlier this year, Mumbrella reported that despite posting healthy profits in its financial results, staff across the Clemenger Group had seen wages been slashed by up to $24.5 million in 2020, in addition to receiving government subsidies in Australia and New Zealand.
Robert Morgan attributed the cost savings to job cuts and wage reductions at the time.
In the weeks following the report, the Group announced a 5% pay increase for staff earning under $200,000 that had taken a temporary pay cut, across each Clemenger agency.
Along with this new policy, further parental leave benefits will also be provided, including programs “designed to keep employees feeling connected, childcare referrals and further support for parents at home”.
Senior account director at Clemenger BBDO Sydney, Melanie Spence, who is preparing to take maternity leave in September while expecting her second child, said that the new policy gives her much more reassurance.
“Going on maternity leave can be terrifying and I felt worried last time with my first child whether I’d be able to make it work given the financial pressures. This time is different.”
Last week, Clemenger BBDO Melbourne’s long standing creative chairman, James McGrath revealed that he would be stepping back from this role, moving into a part-time creative chairman at-large role across the Clemenger Group.
Got a tip?
Calum Jaspan was news editor at Mumbrella, based in Melbourne. He was also the producer and host of the Mumbrellacast. He left Mumbrella in May 2023.
Linkedin