31/07/2026
What a really insightful event on Friday about carers leave and return to work plans.
I loved sitting with friends from CareerLinks Sarah Gamble and Veronica Matheson.
They were there with a lens of supporting young women entering and being in predominantly male dominated industries.
I was there with a women’s mental health lens, learning how the construction industry is having effective discussions about female health that can affect a persons work, specifically pregnancy and carers leave.
Thanks to the panel Ashley Barnes Emma Walsh Clea Smith Dane Bates who really worked through what good leadership and workplaces need to do for all genders to feel comfortable having discussions and plans for pregnancy and carers leave, and the real possibility of bereavement leave.
It was really comforting to hear that the language I talk about using in my courses, is the same identified as powerful by leaders.
That women need to feel safe to disclose pregnancy and possible complications, their journey with it, to ask about their options for leave and be a part of that planning, as well as a return to work plan should they want it. To also be inclusive that this is also the case for all genders and definitions of what a family can look like.
One panelist re-iterated something I always talk about - leaders asking the person how you can best help them, and to just SHSHSH and listen. Far too often we give advice or options but if we ask the person they may know what will work for them.
It was refreshing to hear about large organisations doing person centred plans. To hear of wrap around supports put in place. To really recognise that staff retention needs to be addressed in certain industries, and this is an area where people tend to leave their positions, so it needs to be better.
The afternoon was complete with whales showing off not far from shore- what a fabulous outlook from the conference room at NOAH'S on the beach.
NAWIC NSW NAWIC QLD NAWIC - The National Association for Women in Construction NAWIC NT National Association of Women in Construction Women in Construction AU Mental Health Commission of NSW Women's Mental Health Australia
