Trans and gender-diverse staff at Coles will now be entitled to 10 extra days of PAID gender affirmation leave

  • Team members undergoing gender affirmation will be entitled to the leave
  • Coles Chief Legal and Safety Officer said 900 staff members are gender diverse
  • Coles confirmed the leave may be for medical or counselling purposes 

By ELIZA MCPHEE, ASSISTANT EDITOR, AUSTRALIA and AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: | Updated:

Trans and gender-diverse staff of supermarket chain Coles will be entitled to up to 10 days of paid gender affirmation leave. 

The grocery giant announced the move on Wednesday, the day after International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia.

'We know that we have at least 900 team members who identify as transgender or gender diverse,' Coles Chief Legal and Safety Officer and chair of the company's Pride Steering Committee David Brewster said in a statement.'

Trans and gender-diverse staff of supermarket chain Coles will be entitled to up to 10 days of paid gender affirmation leave

Trans and gender-diverse staff of supermarket chain Coles will be entitled to up to 10 days of paid gender affirmation leave

Coles announced that any team members undergoing gender affirmation will now be entitled to up to 10 days’ paid gender affirmation leave

Coles announced that any team members undergoing gender affirmation will now be entitled to up to 10 days' paid gender affirmation leave

'We need to have proper policy and education in this area so there is clear guidance around taking leave for this important transition in their life.'

A Coles spokesperson confirmed to Daily Mail Australia gender affirmation 'can be any process that a team member undergoes to affirm/confirm their gender identity'. 

'This may be in the forms of social affirmation, medical affirmation or legal affirmation. 

Coles Chief Legal and Safety Officer David Brewster is pictured right with Pride Cup Australia founder Jason Ball

Coles Chief Legal and Safety Officer David Brewster is pictured right with Pride Cup Australia founder Jason Ball

'This may include attending medical or specialist appointments, legal appointments, attending counselling services, attending services supporting their mental health and wellbeing, under-taking hormone therapy or medical surgical processes.'

The paid leave will be for part-time and full-time workers while casual team members can access unpaid gender affirmation leave.

Coles now has pride committees in every state.

It has also signed up as an official partner of Pride Cup Australia, which promotes inclusivity and diversity in sport.

COLES' STATEMENT ON TRANS AND GENDER DIVERSE APPLICANTS 

At Coles, we welcome applications from the LGBTI+ community, and we recognise that trans and gender diverse applicants may have specific questions throughout the recruitment process.

Ensuring you have a fair, equitable and supportive recruitment experience

We recognise that individuals may identify and be recognised within the community as a gender other than the sex they were assigned at birth or during infancy, or as a gender which is not exclusively male or female. There's no obligation to disclose your gender identity, however if you choose to share this information, we're here to provide advice and support. Our 'Pride in Diversity LGBTI+ awareness' trained Inclusive Recruitment team as well as our Diversity & Inclusion Manager, can work with relevant stakeholders and partners to assist you in navigating the recruitment process. Demonstrating understanding, sensitivity and respecting your confidentiality, we are committed to the principles of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 that information will be handled confidentially and sensitively, and will not disadvantage your application. 

Encouraging you to be your authentic self 

Whether you're attending an interview or starting your first day as a Coles team member, you'll be supported as the gender with which you identify, wear the clothes or uniform of your affirmed gender, use the toilets and change rooms of your affirmed gender and be referred to by the name of your affirmed gender too. 

Providing Gender Affirmation and Transition at Coles Guidelines 

We strive for ongoing education, awareness and making sure our policies and processes remain free from discrimination and harassment. If you have or are in the process of affirming your gender, we have Guidelines to support you through that process, as well as our network of Store Managers and team members who have experience of gender affirming at Coles. 

Developing our Pride Team Member Network 

We're proud of the network we've developed at Coles for our LGBTI+ community and Allies. Our Pride SteerCo, led by senior leaders at Coles, sets the strategy and works hard to ensure we have the right training and capability, systems and processes and community engagement to build an inclusive workplace in every community we operate in. At the state level, we have active networks led by our LGBTI+ team members who drive local activity, participate in internal and external events, and provide local support and Allyship to all team members. 

Being committed as an employer of choice for the LGBTI+ community

We partner with Pride in Diversity – a national Australian not-for-profit employer support program for all aspects of LGBTI+ workplace inclusion. We also take part in the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI), highlighting the active role we play in creating an inclusive and supportive environment for the LGBTI+ community. 

We're here to help 

We're here to provide you with support and confidential advice throughout the recruitment process. Applicants can contact our Inclusive Recruitment team at inclusionrecruitment@coles.com.au where you'll be supported by our Inclusive Recruitment LGBTI+ lead.

Woolworths group announced a similar policy last year that allows transgender and gender diverse employees to access two weeks of paid leave for gender affirmation reasons.

Woolworths Group said: 'Gender affirmation can be challenging and complex, often involving medical appointments, surgical procedures, counselling and legal and administrative tasks. 

'Transgender and gender diverse team members can now access up to two weeks paid and two weeks unpaid leave to support them as they take the necessary steps to affirm their gender.'

Laura Merraine, a Woolworths employee of 15 years, said that the paid leave helped to relieve stress as she worked through her gender affirmation journey. 

'Paid leave recognises my experience and creates space to talk about the time needed away from work during business hours,' she said.

'I felt supported every step of the way through my transition and am proud to work for a company that shows genuine understanding and care.'

Transgender IssuesGender Ideology

Most watched News videos