ANZ has joined other major corporations by offering paid gender affirmation leave to employees.
The newly-created gender affirmation leave policy will support trans and gender diverse staff as they undergo gender affirmation.
The leave policy will cover employees for any aspect of their gender affirmation including social, medical, and legal processes.
While other major corporations consider similar policies, the six weeks of paid leave and 12 months of unpaid leave announced by ANZ may become a landmark.
It follows a recent announcement by Coles that it would be offering 10 days of paid gender affirmation leave.
At the time, the retail giant said the policy change was an important step in its commitment to champion inclusion in the workplace.
“We know that we have at least 900 team members who identify as transgender or gender diverse,” Coles Chief Legal and Safety Officer and chair of the Coles Pride Steering Committee David Brewster said.
Leave to ‘ease financial pressure’ for trans and gender diverse staff
ANZ Diversity and Inclusion Lead Fiona MacDonald said the decision showed ANZ’ ongoing commitment to inclusivity.
“The six weeks of paid leave means people who are affirming their gender do not need to exhaust their annual or sick leave entitlements, while also easing some of the financial pressures,” she said.
“This is especially important as research shows that trans and gender diverse people are more likely to experience lower incomes and employment rates,”
Ms MacDonald said the extended leave offered by ANZ recognised that gender affirmation takes time and can include a range of different services.
The ANZ leave policy would allow staff to apply for leave to affirm their gender socially through dress and style as well as changing their name or pronouns.
The leave policy would also cover employees for legal processes to affirm their gender, as well as medical appointments and procedures.
ANZ’s employee resource network ANZ Pride includes more than 2000 LGBTQIA+ staff and allies across 15 countries.
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