MetLife Australia has announced a series of new employee benefits designed to support a more inclusive workplace.
Following consultation with its employee-led DEI Committee, along with insights from the Diversity Council Australia1 and MetLife’s Employee Benefits Trends Study2, the insurer has launched three new leave types which reflect the changing physical and emotional needs of employees.
The new leave types are menopause leave (up to 10 days), fertility leave (up to 5 days) and gender affirmation leave (up to 4 weeks) along with return-to-work support planning. The insurer is also extending paid parental leave to 16 weeks in 2024 and to 18 weeks in 2025.
MetLife’s Employee Benefits Trends Study3 showed that additional paid leave was a top priority for employees and that this can be a key driver of employee engagement. These findings along with insights from the Diversity Council Australia Inclusive Employer survey helped MetLife design these tailored leave benefits to better support its unique workforce.
These leave benefits underscore the focus that needs to be placed on supporting mental as well as physical needs, especially as we acknowledge the impact on people and on workplaces.
Offering leave that allows employees to manage symptoms and take time to recover, along with planning and education, is a complete approach to employee care. This ensures people have the right support, with the goal of providing a truly caring and inclusive work environment.
Commenting on the leave policies, MetLife Head of People & Culture Alex Sosnov said: “Employee care must include initiatives that recognise our people make valuable contributions and also have unique needs. These employee benefits recognise this and are tangible ways to enable our people to achieve their professional and personal goals. We know this helps us create a more inclusive workplace while also retaining and attracting the best people who will help us achieve our business goals.”
These new benefits further demonstrate MetLife’s resolve to uplifting a culture of care and DEI, and are ahead of many insurance industry peers.
MetLife is the only life insurer named on Diversity Council Australia’s Inclusive Employer list 2023-24. For more information about working at MetLife visit the Careers page.
References/Background
- MetLife recognised as Inclusive Employer by Diversity Council Australia
- EBTS 2020 | MetLife Australia
- EBTS 2020 | MetLife Australia
- Menopause costs women’s retirement outcomes - Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia
- Study aims to change narrative around menopause in workplace | The Lighthouse (mq.edu.au)
- Gender affirmation policies: best practice considerations for employers - HRM online
Contact
Sarah Kelly, 0411 893 890, sarah.kelly@metlife.com
The MetLife Australia Corporate Affairs team can assist with media enquiries including organising interviews with MetLife spokespeople. To contact the team please email media@metlife.com.
About MetLife
MetLife Insurance Limited (MetLife), an affiliate of MetLife, Inc., is a specialist provider of life insurance to affinity partners, superannuation trustees and employers in Australia. MetLife has expertise in designing and executing direct insurance programs for partners’ customers and insurance solutions to meet the needs of specific member groups. MetLife has been a specialist provider of life risk insurance products in Australia since 2005. For more information, visit metlife.com.au.
MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world’s leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help its individual and institutional customers navigate their changing world. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 countries and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit metlife.com.