QBE cited for its ongoing efforts to improve parental policies

QBE European Operations (QBE) is an employer that strives to make the workplace one of equality and inclusion.

Driving home the company's efforts, QBE has received the prestigious Parenting Policies Award at the Working Dads Employer Awards in Westminster.

"This recognition is a testament to our ongoing efforts to improve our parental leave policies and create a more inclusive workplace," commented QBE.

Supporting the caring responsibilities of both women and men at QBE is key.

Supporting gender equality in the workplace

In support of gender equality, QBE has equalised paternity and maternity leave in the UK, providing all new parents with up to 52 weeks of leave, with 26 weeks at their normal basic salary.

"We believe these changes are crucial to ensure that all parents, regardless of gender and sexual orientation, have the opportunity to actively participate in their children's lives and be there for the moments that matter," said QBE.

Breaking down the gendered barriers to child-caring

Equal Parenting Project that hosts the awards said: "By supporting parents, employers can aid working families, attract and retain top talent, reduce pay inequalities and alleviate the motherhood penalty. The awards, not only celebrate current employers, but give companies the opportunity to further break down the gendered barriers to child-caring in order to promote gender equality in the workplace, encourage more women onto boards and enhance the wellbeing of families."

Andy Tong, QBE General Manager commented: “At QBE there is a strong emphasis on doing the right thing for our people and providing support in the moments that matter. Our enhanced policy means all new parents are entitled to the same amount of company enhanced leave and pay, regardless of gender, sexual orientation or how they become a parent. We believe this will help to remove barriers to career progression, challenge traditional gender roles and level the playing field for women and men at home and at work. Offering extended paternity leave and supporting fathers in the workplace has wide-reaching benefits for co-parents themselves, their children, and employers who gain a more engaged and loyal workforce. This also has a positive impact on gender equality beyond our organisation and reflects the needs of dual career families, as time away from work to care for a child can be more equally split. Our intention is to create a culture in which taking paternity leave and extended time out is normalised.”

QBE Ceri Stokoe - CIP

QBE Chief Information Officer, Ceri Stokoe [pictured above], commented: “We are very proud to have made a number of positive enhancements to our policies and benefits to ensure we support our people during important life moments. Equalising our paternity leave is a progressive step for us and we are delighted to be recognised by the working dads employer awards. Having worked with Elliott as part of our launch, we were aware of the great work by Music Football Fatherhood and Equal Parenting Project. Their aims to better support fathers to aid working families, attract and retain top talent, close the gender pay gap and promote equality in the workplace align perfectly with our values at QBE.”