YMCA NSW

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YMCA Leads Industry With Family-friendly Focus

Wednesday, 10th October 2012

The YMCA, a not-for-profit and leading provider of Aquatic and Leisure Management, is excited to announce the launch its new Paid Parental Leave Scheme in NSW which will see it continue to lead the recreation industry, not only in facility management, but in family-friendly employment policy.

Officially announced today, the Scheme complements a range of other family-friendly work policies at the Y including flexible work arrangements and a bonus “family” leave day on Christmas Eve.

The Y’s new parental leave will pay staff over and above the 18-week Government Paid Parental Leave Scheme by topping up the minimum wage payment to an employee’s equivalent salary. Primary caregivers – whether the mother or father – will be eligible for the 18-week top up pay, with partners receiving two weeks top up pay, in line with the Government’s launch of Dad and Partner Pay from January 1 2013.

Phillip Hare, CEO, YMCA of Sydney, said the Y’s Paid Parental Leave Scheme, which gives employees the equivalent of eight weeks full-time pay, was leading the Y’s competitors in the recreation industry as well as the not-for-profit sector.

“The Y knows more than most organisations the importance of family and having quality family time together and this is what the Scheme promotes to support our valued staff at a time when they need it most,” he said.

“We take a progressive approach to family-friendly work practises, of which paid parental leave is just one, and we see it as vital to holding onto staff, particularly women, and making it easier for them to take time off and come back into the workforce at a time that suits them.

“While female representation in senior management and on boards is quite low across the recreation industry, the Y is proud of the fact that women comprise a majority of our leadership team and our Board. We want to ensure women can build a career at the Y while also being supported when they have a family.”

The Y’s family-friendly approach to employment reflects the organisation’s philosophy of bringing families together to feel connected to their communities and live healthier, happier lives. The announcement comes just weeks after the Y rolled-out family-focused centre timetables across its recreation centres in NSW, making it easier for families to participate together at their local Y.

-ENDS-