Monash University, Melbourne |
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| The Need for WLB: | A new father wanting to share in the upbringing of his child | |
| Outcome: | Provided full-time parental leave and then accommodated with part-time return to work with a change of focus to project-based work | |
I have been at Monash for almost 10 years. Four months after my wife gave birth to our first child I went on full time parental leave, returning to work on a 0.4 fraction. We had a strong preference to have the baby looked after at home and felt that it was important that each of us was equally involved in his upbringing. My wife also wanted to return to her position as a solicitor. Combined with our financial ability to manage a period of reduced earnings, my return to work on a part-time basis was the best, and most practical option available to us. Our son is now three and a half and has started kindergarten this year. I am still working part-time but I'm hoping to return to full-time after he starts school.
This arrangement has required some adjustment for my manager and I. Whereas the majority of my time as a full time staff member was once devoted to more immediate short-cycle work, my transfer to part-time has led to a shift towards more long-cycle project work. My manager also has had to ensure that he consults regularly with me to overcome any communication gaps that might arise while I'm caring for my son at home. This included rescheduling the weekly Branch meeting to make sure that I can attend.
Despite the adjustments, my manager agrees that this arrangement is continuing to work well and considers that it has been a positive experience for all concerned.