QBE will increase its gender-neutral staff paid parental leave scheme from 12 weeks to 18 weeks.  

The insurer launched the Share the Care program in 2019, dropping primary and secondary caregiver labels for an “all-in, flexible paid parental scheme”. 

QBE will also now remove its qualifying period for the program, to enable new employees to take part.   

It says the scheme has proven pivotal in “changing the face and culture of caregiving for QBE employees”, with a noted increase in the number of men taking leave. 

In the year before the scheme’s launch, only 10% of QBE parents who took parental leave were men; this has now jumped to 38%. 

“Share the Care supports our people to take parental leave in a way that suits their individual family’s needs over a two-year period,” QBE Australia Pacific CEO Sue Houghton said.  

“More broadly, it tackles the social stereotypes and inequalities associated with ‘the caring load’ and we remain extremely proud of the positive impact Share the Care continues to have.”  

Parents at Work CEO Emma Walsh praised QBE for showing “real commitment towards ensuring a more inclusive and family-friendly work environment. Organisations that prioritise the work-life balance of employees and recognise the importance of family foster a positive and productive work culture that attracts and retains top talent,” she said.