New parents' room and all-gender bathroom brings more inclusivity

The North Delivery Team (NDT) has taken a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and supportive workplace thanks to the work of Business Support Business Partner, Maida Choudhary, Community & Stakeholder Business Partner, Mel Tadhunter, and Environment & Sustainability Business Partner, Emma Hale to introduce a parent’s room and an all-gender bathroom.

The new parent’s room is a dedicated, private space for breastfeeding parents returning to work. Located on level four of the NDT's Chatswood office, the room is equipped with a comfortable chair, a table, and a microwave. The room is available to all employees who are breastfeeding or expressing milk for their infants, without the need for booking. 

The parents room is located on level four

A refrigerator will be added in the near future

"Mums returning to work after maternity leave can find it challenging to balance work and family commitments, especially if they are breastfeeding," Maida said.

"The introduction of the parent's room is a small but important step towards creating a more supportive and inclusive workplace culture." 

The all-gender bathroom is on level three and open to all employees. This initiative was introduced to ensure that all employees, regardless of gender identity, have access to a safe and comfortable restroom. 

"We believe that every employee deserves to feel valued, supported and safe at work, regardless of gender identity," said Mel Tadhunter.  

"The all-gender bathroom is a practical way to show our commitment to inclusion and diversity." 

Emma Hale added, "creating an inclusive and diverse workplace requires action, not just words. We hope that the introduction of the all-gender bathroom and parent's room will be the first of many initiatives that help to foster a culture of care and support for all employees." 

The introduction of the parent's room and all-gender bathroom aligns with the NDT's Culture of Care (COC), which recognises the importance of creating an inclusive and accessible workplace. The COC outlines the NDT's values of respect, integrity, and excellence and emphasises the importance of treating all employees with dignity and respect. 

"We are committed to providing our people with a safe, healthy, and supportive workplace," said Candice Mesecke, People & Culture Lead at NDT.  

"The introduction of the parent's room and all-gender bathroom reflects our commitment to fostering a culture of care that ensures all employees feel valued and supported." 

The introduction of the parent's room and all-gender bathroom has been welcomed by employees, who have praised the initiative as positive steps towards creating a more inclusive and accessible workplace. 

"This is a great initiative that shows that the NDT values the needs of working mothers and employees of all gender identities," Environment & Sustainability Business Partner Emma Hale said.  

The all-gender bathroom is on level three

"Having a comfortable and private space to express milk or use the bathroom is really important for employees' well-being and work-life balance,” she said.  

The NDT's parent's room and all-gender bathroom are just two examples of our commitment to creating a workplace that is inclusive, accessible, and supportive. By fostering a culture of care that prioritises the needs and well-being of all employees, the NDT is setting a positive example for other organisations to follow. 

A huge thank you to Maida Choudhary, Mel Tadhunter, and Emma Hale for leading these initiatives and to our leaders for their support.