Women returning to work

The following information is for staff returning to work after taking parental leave, and staff interested in the provisions for parents at the University of Auckland. The University is committed to supporting all staff in maintaining and developing their careers while carrying out their role as parents, grandparents or caregivers and will endeavour to create an environment where such roles are recognised.

The Women Returning to Work Project is a collaborative venture between the Tertiary Education Union, the Equity Office and Human Resources, to achieve the following goals:

• maximising retention of skilled staff and on-going participation of women in the University’s workforce
• reducing where possible the costs of engaging temporary employees
• enhancing the job satisfaction of current employees
• providing an incentive for the recruitment of new staff
• eliminating barriers and potential disadvantage
• achieving leadership in employment of women returning to the workforce
• giving practical effect to The University of Auckland’s Equity policies, and
• contributing to the objectives of the Government’s five-year Plan of Action on Pay and Employment Equity in the tertiary sector.

A range of recommendations to support women returning to work after taking parental leave came from an initial needs analysis. Key activities arising from the recommendations are:

• quarterly network meetings are held to update staff on relevant news and provide opportunities for meeting other women who have returned to work
• a strategic review of early childhood education centres, facilities, services, Kōhanga Reo and Kōhungahunga has been undertaken
• mini fridges have been purchased and are available on loan for storing expressed milk
• a major resource toolkit for combining parenting and a career has been compiled. It is intended to provide advice to a wide audience on matters connected with pregnancy, taking leave and returning to work:

The network holds meetings throughout the year. To be included on the email list contact:

Margaret Freeman
Email: ms.freeman@auckland.ac.nz

Strategies to support staff returning to work are in accordance with the Strategic Plan, in which the University commits to:

• Providing equal opportunities for all who have the potential to succeed in a university of high international standing
• Objective 13:
  Recruit and retain a high-quality staff and student body that draws on the widest possible pool of talent.

For further information please contact:

Prue Toft
Equity Office
Phone: +64 9 373 7599 ext 88316
Email: p.toft@auckland.ac.nz

Kerryn Patten
Human Resources
Phone: +64 9 373 7599 ext 88940
Email: k.patten@auckland.ac.nz

Alex Sims
Tertiary Education Union Representative
Phone: +64 9 373 7599 ext 84901
Email: a.sims@auckland.ac.nz