PRESS RELEASE: The standard provides 18 weeks of paid parental leave at full pay following the birth or adoption of a child. 

Rio Tinto stated that to allow new parents maximum flexibility, 18 weeks’ leave will be granted to an employee designated as the child’s primary caregiver – it is not gender specific. Employees who elect to be the secondary caregiver will receive one week paid leave in the first year following birth or adoption. 

The global standard was announced at an employee town-hall at Rio Tinto’s Kennecott integrated mine and smelter operations outside Salt Lake City, Utah, US.

Rio Tinto chief executive J-S Jacques said: “This new approach reflects our values as a company, particularly our focus on the wellbeing of our people and improving the diversity of our workforce. To attract and retain the best people we need to provide a work environment that supports all families and offers new parents flexibility regarding early childcare choices. In many countries, such as the United States, this is a significant improvement over legal requirements and practices of multinational peers.”

Rio Tinto’s new paid parental leave minimum standard will be effective in the US starting on  October 1, 2017, and will be phased in for employees across the globe during 2018 in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.