Australia's largest rail-based transport business, Aurizon, is helping tackle the superannuation gap caused by unpaid parental leave by announcing its new 'Super Booster' initiative.
In addition to the 14 weeks' paid parental leave incorporating superannuation contributions, the initiative will see Aurizon paying superannuation contributions for primary caregivers, whether male or female, for up to another 14 weeks of unpaid leave.
Aurizon's Managing Director and CEO, Lance Hockridge says the Company is only one of a handful offering this unpaid superannuation benefit.
"Research shows the primary caregiver of children can have lose almost half of their superannuation at retirement largely due to the unpaid breaks from work when having a family.
"We are extremely proud to be one of the few companies in Australia offering this benefit over and above legislative requirements.
"We are pleased to help ease the superannuation burden faced by our primary caregivers."
The 'Super Booster' initiative is one of a number of diversity initiatives the Company has in place to support Aurizon's goal of gender equality.
The Company's diversity work was recognised earlier this month when Aurizon was awarded the 'Most Outstanding Company in Gender Diversity 2015' by Engineers Australia.
Aurizon won the Engineers Australia award in recognition of the ongoing execution of its Diversity Plan and supporting programs such as the CEO office rotation, Senior Development program and Transition to Operations program and initiatives such as the Aurizon's Women's Conference and the Aurizon Male Champions of Change.
The award from Engineers Australia brings the tally of diversity accolades to five over the past year including:
Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI)
Inclusion & Diversity Award for Gender Equity in the Workplace (November 2014)
AHRI Award for Diversity Champion CEO (November 2014)
Australasian Rail Association Award for Workplace Diversity (July 2014)
Gender Equity Champion at the Hunter Diversity Awards (March 2015).