Some of these enhancements include contributing to superannuation (pensions) while workers take parental leave, urging fathers to stay home with their newborns beyond the traditional one or two week periods and paying as much as six months full salary to new parents.
Among the companies that have stepped up their programs are Deloitte, Medibank, QBE, L’Oreal, Hewlett Packard and ING Australia. Australian wealth manager, AMP, commissioned recent research that showed that parents fret more over money during a pregnancy than at any other time. “Having a baby is one of the most joyful times in your life but planning your baby budget can be one of the most stressful,” says Ilaine Anderson, AMP director of workplace.
“You can understand why expectant parents are stressed about money. Planning for a baby often means looking ahead to a time where you are earning far less and spending far more.”