Come June, Rio Tinto will be offering 18 weeks of paid leave for new parents and caregivers globally.
Distinctions between primary and secondary caregivers have been removed, giving all new parents access to the 18 weeks off.
These improvements will also include full pension contributions during periods of unpaid or reduced-pay parental leave.
“Every parenting situation is different, and these changes are designed to provide greater flexibility to our employees to meet their families’ needs, regardless of gender or parental situation, as well as improving employee and family well-being,” said Rio Tinto Chief People Officer James Martin.
These new standards will be effective as of June 13. Anyone who becomes a parent, which includes adoption of surrogacy will be eligible for 18 weeks of paid parental leave within the first two years of the birth or adoption.
The benefits will be rolled out over the course of this year and next and will be adjusted in accordance with local regulations, customs and context.
If both parents are employed with Rio Tinto they will both be eligible for paid parental leave and can take it at the same time.
“We hope that by providing full pension contributions during periods of unpaid parental leave or reduced hours, we can start to close the gender pension gap,” said Martin.
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