7 November 2022

Avanade, the leading digital innovator on the Microsoft ecosystem, has introduced a range of Family Forming Benefits which are available to all its permanent employees in Australia. The range of benefits include a new Fertility Treatment Leave to support employees undergoing Assisted Reproductive Treatment such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), and an extension of compassionate leave definition to support employees or their partners who have experienced pregnancy loss through miscarriage.

Along with its new Family Forming Benefits, Avanade also introduced a new Carer’s Support Leave, enhanced its Family and Domestic Violence Leave, and extended the definition of its Compassionate Leave to include First Nations ceremonial events in relation to the passing of a family member or friend.

Complementing its extensive range of employee leave policies and benefits in Australia, Avanade also has implemented several programs to enable better wellbeing and drive greater inclusion and diversity:

• Alternative Work Week: A program that enables more flexible working arrangements where employees have the option of working their contracted hours in fewer days. Employees can choose between a 9-day fortnight or 4-day week – all at their own pace.
• My Cultural Day empowers employees to choose the holidays they would like to recognise based on their individual cultural and religious needs. The benefit provides the flexibility to swap an Australia gazetted public holiday with a holiday or event (e.g., Ramadan, Eid, Diwali, Lunar New Year, Hanukkah) that is currently not recognised as an Australian Public Holiday.
• Gender Transition Leave: All employees are eligible for the Gender Transition Leave including, but not limited to, accessing medical surgery, hormone replacement therapy, or initial non-invasive transitioning.
• Enhanced Parental Leave: All parents, regardless of gender, can access 18 weeks paid parental leave within the first two years of the birth or adoption of their children – giving all employees the opportunity to share caring responsibilities while maintaining their careers. The leave can be utilised flexibly to suit each family’s unique needs.

Earlier this year, Avanade was awarded the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) citation for 2021-2023 – receiving the accolade for the fifth consecutive year.

“As a people-first, purpose-led organisation, we prioritise doing what matters for our people. It’s important to us that we are creating an inclusive and supportive environment where our people can be and do their best. In this new era of work, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, and flexibility and choice will be crucial to enable our employees to thrive. Through our new and enhanced benefits, it will empower our employees to make a genuine human impact in everything they do, personally and professionally.” – Rebel Berenyi, HR Lead, Avanade Australia