At RDT Pacific, we believe that supporting our team members through various stages of life is crucial to their well-being and professional success. Our parental leave policy is designed to ensure that our employees can take the time they need to welcome new additions to their whānau while feeling supported in their careers.

 

Rad’s Journey: A Testament to Our Commitment

For our Senior Project Manager Radhika Parameswaran, who welcomed her son Zian in November 2022, the journey back to work was made smoother by the flexibility and support she received from the team.

Rad had initially planned to take between 8 and 12 months of parental leave but found herself ready to return after just 6 months. “Negotiating my return to work with RDT Pacific was seamless,” she explains. “We had agreed on a flexible timeframe, and it really came down to when I felt ready. RDT Pacific gave me the freedom to make that decision, which took away a lot of the stress.”

Upon her return, Rad was welcomed back with flexibility. “I started off working part-time, three days a week, and gradually increased to 80% before returning full-time. That flexibility made a huge difference for me in balancing work and family life.” While the transition had its challenges, particularly with balancing a full-time role before her son turned one, Rad credits the team at RDT Pacific for helping her through. “It’s been a challenge at times, but RDT Pacific gave me the confidence and space to prioritise my family. They trust me to manage my time, which made balancing both roles possible.”

One aspect of Rad’s experience that stood out was the support from her colleagues. “I felt safe knowing that I could always get help or advice from my colleagues,” she shares. “Everyone was so open and supportive throughout my journey, which made a world of difference.” Rad also appreciated the security that came with RDT Pacific’s parental leave policy. “It gave me peace of mind, knowing that both my job and my family were taken care of. I didn’t have to worry about my career while I focused on my family.”

For Rad, the return to work was also about reconnecting with her professional identity. “There are days when you love being at home with your little one, but sometimes you crave adult conversations and a routine outside of parenting,” she says. “Coming back to work gave me that, and I loved getting back to solving problems, negotiating with clients, and just being myself again.” Reflecting on the past two years, Rad shares how much she’s learned. “I’ve gained so much patience and perspective. I’ve learned to prioritise what truly matters, and the little things that used to stress me out just don’t anymore.”

Rad is grateful for the opportunities she’s had since returning to work. “What I appreciate most about RDT Pacific is that I’ve had the same chances to grow and develop as I would have had before going on parental leave. The support I’ve received from the team has been amazing – I feel like I get to be both a mother and myself.”

Rad’s story is a testament to our commitment to our team. We are proud to support our employees through all of life’s milestones, ensuring they can thrive both at work and at home.

 

A Culture of Support and Flexibility

At RDT Pacific, we foster a supportive environment that meets the diverse needs of our people. Our Parental Leave and Flexible Working Policies help our team balance professional and personal responsibilities. We are proud of Rad and all of our parents and carers who play an invaluable role in our business. By supporting our people, we promote a healthy work-life balance, creating a culture of manaakitanga where everyone can thrive.

 

Our Parental Leave Policy

Our Parental Leave Policy supports new parents with:

• 12 weeks top-up for primary carers
• 2 weeks paid leave for partners
• KiwiSaver contributions for the duration of employer-paid parental leave plus additional unpaid leave
• Flexible working arrangements available, including a graduated return
• Childcare subsidy for up to 12 consecutive weeks
• Return to work coaching with an external executive coach
• Access to facilities and breaks for feeding/expressing milk

 

We’re proud to share our parental leave policy on The New Zealand Parental Leave Register.