Work and family data
There is still no word from the government about their intentions regarding paid maternity leave. Perhaps we should remind them of the work done by Access Economics for the 2006 House of Representatives Inquiry into balancing work and family.
Maternity leave economics
Today's news is that paid maternity leave is under threat due to the economic downturn. This is despite the fact that a good way to stimulate the economy is giving women secure incomes and the ability to go back to work after childbirth with the support of the employer.
Election time NOW
I have been reluctant to share my views about the US elections due to fear that I might use offensive language.
Melting moments
Isn't this great? After a few years of increasing representation of women in leadership roles, Australia (where 49% of ASX200 companies have a woman on their Board) now has slipped back behind USA (88.2%), UK (76%), South Africa (62.4%) and Canada (52.8%).
Flexibility debate
Tuesday night's panel (Michael Rose, Todd Sampson and Jane Caro) discussed the pros and cons of flexible work practices at an evening sponsored by ANZ for NFAW in Sydney.
Government = 0 ABC TV = 1
Failing to include paid maternity leave for working women in the Rudd Government's $10.4b rescue package was a major oversight, but my week was made brighter by the news that ABC TV is going to show the W-League game each week at 4pm on Saturdays.
Essentially 'yes' to PML
The weekly Essential Research survey included questions on paid maternity leave this week, and the data suggests that the majority of respondents - 41% - think that the Productivity Commission has got about the right mix, while another 16% think it doesn't go far enough. However, one third of respondents believe the proposed scheme goes too far.
Next steps
Now that the report is out, the next steps towards getting paid maternity leave in Australia could be up to the women and men who want to see it happen.
PML - news flash
Just heard on the news that ACT Labor is promising to start with 18 weeks PML for mothers and 2 weeks for the other parent in July 2009 if they are elected. As far as I can tell, this means that if the Federal Government's proposed scheme goes ahead as discussed in the draft report women employed by the ACT government will end up with 36 weeks, and 4 weeks for the other parent.
Paid maternity leave - when and how much?
Today at 12.30 the Productivity Commission releases their draft report on Paid Maternity, Paternity and Parental Leave.
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