Supporting staff with children
These policies and guidelines explain how the University works to support you as a staff member as you meet the challenges of combining parenting and a career.
Parenting, work-life balance and recognition
- We are committed to helping staff balance their life, family and carer responsibilities. Read our Work, Life, Family and Carers Policy.
- We are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements for staff with carer responsibilities. Read our Flexible Work Policy and Procedures.
- Flexible Work Arrangements Application Form
- Flexible Work Policy Approval Form
- We recognise that not everyone has a conventional or linear career path and career interruptions are accounted for when assessing merit. Read our policy on Achievement Relative to Opportunity.
Parental leave
- Parental leave is the time off work to care for a new born or adopted child. There is both paid and unpaid parental leave and it may be provided by the government and/or the University for either parent. Read our parental leave policy
- University of Auckland Parental Leave Application Form
- IRD Paid Parental Leave Application Form (IR880)
Childcare
- If you think your child will be enrolled in one of our early Early Childhood Services, we advise you to make arrangements as early as possible. Early Childhood Education Centres (ECE)
- The ECE in the City Campus also offers a kohanga reo programme, a full immersion Māori service for tamariki.
- Salary Sacrificing of ECE fees is available for staff with children in our ECEs, including Hineteiwaiwa Te Kohanga Reo or Te Puna Kōhungahunga. If you wish to organise salary sacrificing arrangements, please discuss the relevant process with the ECE.
- We have guidelines for babies and children on campus. These will help you make appropriate arrangements among managers, employees and colleagues. Please remember that there are specific requirements for taking children on field trips. Read the guidelines.
- Read more about government subsidies such as the child care subsidy through Work and Income and other financial support offered through IRD.
Breastfeeding and working
- The City, Grafton, Newmarket and Tāmaki campuses have designated spaces for breastfeeding or expressing.
- Portable mini-fridges for storing expressed breastmilk are available by emailing the completed application form below to: minifridge@auckland.ac.nz
Expecting and new parents network
From mid-2023, Staff Diversity, Equity & Inclusion within HR are reviewing the current support and resources available for expecting and new parents at the University. If you have any queries about this work, please contact staffdiversityequityandinclusion@auckland.ac.nz.