Myer introduces paid maternity leave

Retailers competing for skilled workers will now be under pressure to offer paid maternity leave to compete with Myer in the job market.

Myer is the first big national retailer to introduce paid parental leave. More than 10,000 permanent staff with 18 months service will be offered six weeks paid parental leave on top of two year’s unpaid leave from 1 April.

Greg Travers, Myer human resources director, told The Australian newspaper that in an increasingly competitive labour market the company wants to invest in initiatives that differentiate it and attract and retain employees.

The announcement comes ahead of the findings of the Productivity Commission which has been ordered by the Rudd Government to report on mandatory paid maternity leave and paternity leave by next February.