“Being a family inclusive workplace is crucial to Multiplex realising the full potential of its people. Beyond the obvious benefit to parents, having family friendly strategies in place reduces business costs related to recruitment, retraining and restructuring; widens the talent pool; increases organisational productivity and performance; and improves organisational reputation. At Multiplex our approach to family support goes far beyond our legal obligations. We implement policies and practices that support our employees regardless of gender or personal commitments, and provide them with choices when it comes to caring for their families. Becoming accredited as a family inclusive workplace is important to Multiplex as it will help us to continually evolve our strategy.”
At Multiplex we are committed to enabling people to balance their work and family life whilst having a fulfilling a rewarding career. We know that when people are encouraged to find a balance that is right for them, they are able to thrive. Our policies and practices are inclusive of all family configurations and provide employees with choices when it comes to caring for their families.
Multiplex is committed to advancing gender equality within the construction industry and more broadly, and being a family friendly workplace will support this change. We don’t want men to miss out on opportunities to play a greater role with caring responsibilities, and we want all people to be encouraged to make choices that are right for them and their family. By becoming a family friendly accredited workplace, we are making it clear that Multiplex is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where people can bring their whole selves to work every day, and embrace a healthy work life balance.
We have an industry leading, gender neutral parental leave policy and support policy. Our policies and practices are designed to normalise and encourage parental leave for all parents, and provide support for parents transitioning to and from leave.
Examples of Multiplex initiatives that support parents include:
The implementation of our workplace flexibility program has also had a hugely positive impact on our working families. Industry norms in the construction sector mean that some people are still working six day weeks and long hours, which makes working in this sector untenable for some employees because of the lack of workplace flexibility and the impact on families. Therefore flexibility at Multiplex has been key for us in creating an inclusive workplace and changing industry norms.
Through the implementation of these family friendly policies and practices designed to support parents, we have seen an increase in the number of men accessing parental leave with the ability for families to share parenting responsibilities more equally. Their feedback demonstrates the positive impact on family life, in addition to contributing to their engagement and motivation at work. We have also seen a positive shift in our attraction and retention of women.
“During my leave period, I was even able to see my son take his first steps. I would have missed that milestone, and it’s something you can’t take back” (Lee Bickle, Male, Senior Site Supervisor).
Being a family inclusive organization fosters a more engaged and productive workforce and contributes significantly to attracting and retaining talent. More broadly, it is shifting attitudes around the equal share of caring responsibilities, and ultimately advancing gender equality.
Markelle Farley and Jake Farley, Multiplex
Cost Planner, Markelle Farley and her husband Jake, a Site Manager also at Multiplex, have embraced our new parental leave policy and support offerings, and utilised its flexibility to take turns as the primary carer. They have two children; Eliza who is three and Leo who is now a year old.
The Multiplex policy includes 18 weeks of paid parental leave. Parents are able to choose to take a combination of this leave any time from the birth of their baby until the child is two years of age. Markelle commented – “The flexibility of the policy has been key for us. When I returned from a year of leave, Jake started his period of parental leave”.
Reflecting on her journey, Markelle says “I struggled navigating part-time work, especially the continuity of a three-day work week – but the coaching aspect of the program has been invaluable. Having someone to talk to, give you reassurance and provide solutions for success has been amazing”.
“It really is a game-changer for parents to be able to take extended periods of leave as and when they need it along with having the financial security of a paid parental leave scheme, continuing super payments and remuneration reviews – all the while being supported emotionally and individually through the coaching program. The new policy is very holistic and I feel very fortunate and proud to be part of a company so dedicated to supporting working parents. I really hope policies like Multiplex’s become more of the norm.”
“Being a family inclusive workplace is crucial to Multiplex realising the full potential of its people. Beyond the obvious benefit to parents, having family friendly strategies in place reduces business costs related to recruitment, retraining and restructuring; widens the talent pool; increases organisational productivity and performance; and improves organisational reputation. At Multiplex our approach to family support goes far beyond our legal obligations. We implement policies and practices that support our employees regardless of gender or personal commitments, and provide them with choices when it comes to caring for their families. Becoming accredited as a family inclusive workplace is important to Multiplex as it will help us to continually evolve our strategy.”
Parents At Work acknowledge and pay respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
