We used to think 14 weeks, WOW! That’s great. But now that OZ has taken up 18 weeks we seem somehow cheated.
Discussion around the provision for children seems to be flip-flopping.
First we have something of an outcry that parental leave needs to be extended. Benefits and support to families beyond their youngest’s sixth birthday is well over due, presumably allowing parents to spend more time with their children and support them in their education.
But wait... Paragraphs further down in the article refer to supporting children by extending ECE hours beyond the 20 free and even putting 2 years into centres if the family can’t cope.
So what is best for the child seems to differ depending on the situation. This appears to be fair enough but let us not have that decision mocked if the parents make it and hailed as prophetic if the state decides.
So returning to the original issue of 14 week paid parental leave...
If employees don’t like it because it’s not long enough and employers don’t like it because it’s too long I think we’ve reached equilibrium.
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1 comment:
I would love to have more paid parental leave, but a reality check puts that in perspective - we are only a small country of 4 million. How can we expect to provide the same level of financial support and benefits that a country as big as Australia can. I think in both cases, it is more than what you get from a giant like the US - so we really aren't that badly off. - Karina
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