Marlene Strawson GM of People & Performance at Newmarket-headquartered Mercury talks about how the company supports and values a diverse workforce with its leave policies.

When we moved into our brand-new building at 33 Broadway in Newmarket back in 2019, we wanted to provide our people with a wonderful environment to work. Newmarket offers great public transport links, fantastic shopping, a plethora of eateries for lunchtime and after-work catch-ups and Auckland Domain is on our doorstep for lunchtime walks.

Of course, in 2020 things changed: since then, the three letters WFH have entered our vocabulary and many Mercury people now choose where they prefer to work day-by-day – whether at home or in the office.   
 
We’ve become more flexible and adaptive in the ways we work, communicate, and collaborate when we’re apart, although we have found our people still value coming together in the same physical space – or maybe they just like the ability to pop downstairs to grab a barista-made coffee!

We foster an environment that is equitable, where diversity is celebrated and valued, and everyone feels included.

Our people all have unique circumstances and lives, and where possible we want our policies to reflect and allow for those differences. Our leave policies play a big part in how we can do this.

Growing your family is one of the biggest things you’ll do in life, and I’m incredibly proud of our new Parental Leave policy and what it will mean for our employees going through this exciting stage.

Our new Parental Leave benefits will really help to ease the financial burden and career development uncertainty that people might face when taking parental leave. We know these stresses often fall on women, and these changes represent a significant step in creating a more equitable work environment.

We are topping up IRD payments to make sure people receive 100% of their normal pay for the first 26 weeks of Parental Leave, offering additional leave for attending appointments during pregnancy or for adoption arrangements and extra leave for those undergoing any fertility procedure or treatment.

We also provide ongoing career support and coaching during pregnancy and parental leave and provide flexibility to ease back for the first month with guaranteed normal full pay.

We have introduced Gender Affirmation Leave for employees to take if they are  transitioning and seeking to affirm their gender. Up to four weeks paid leave can be taken as needed for social, legal and/or medical affirmation while an employee is on their journey.

Mercury's Bereavement Leave allowances have also been updated to remove any prescriptive reference to relationships. Everyone’s situation is personal, and we don’t want to determine who and how someone grieves. This also applies to pets! Anyone with a furry family member will know how difficult saying goodbye can be.

At Mercury, we are committed to fostering a workplace culture where everyone feels supported, valued, and empowered. Our new leave benefits are just one of the many ways we’re working  to create a workplace that is inclusive, equitable, and values the unique circumstances of each employee.To find out more about Mercury’s leave policies, other benefits and opportunities visit www.mercury.co.nz/about/careers