Parental leave entitlements
In mid-2024, AWLA conducted a survey of firm’s parental leave entitlements. In 2025, we asked firms to provide any updated parental leave policies. The purpose of this survey is to increase transparency and discussion around these entitlements. It built on a survey undertaken by the Wellington Women Lawyers’ Association, which was a direct approach to members rather than employers. It also followed from a number of questions AWLA received from its members about paid parental leave and from observations of a reluctance to proactively share this information during recruitment processes.
We are pleased that we had a great response from firms and were able to widen our reach for the survey. We are hopeful that this survey may act as a catalyst for change to both generate discussions around parental leave and also to bring law firm’s enhanced parental leave entitlements and surrounding policies in line with other professional service firms and corporates throughout New Zealand. We consider this an immensely helpful resource for women and carers searching for potential employment opportunities, as they can rely on the results to assist in their negotiations and feel more confident in what supports they are seeking.
Basis of reporting (for 2024 survey)
• 38 law firms invited to participate. AWLA had a 76% response rate and responses from all of the largest firms in terms of employee headcount. This was an increase in response rate from 50% in 2022.
• Selection of law firms predominantly medium to large however some smaller firms included to provide a greater range of information.
• Invited responses to series of 10 questions.
• The results have been published verbatim at this stage in line with how firms responded to AWLA (other than the removal of additional information outside the scope of the question and where answers have been streamline for brevity).
• Firms should get in touch with AWLA should they wish to participate.
• Feedback is welcome, including on whether there is any other information that AWLA’s members would be interested in us reporting on in the future (including any additional questions).
AWLA Parental Leave Entitlements Survey 2025
Past Parental Leave Entitlements Survey