Australian start-up triiyo has teamed up with the Department of Regional NSW in introducing a customised, online platform for employees on parental leave.
Set for launch this October 2022, the all-in-one platform will provide employees with important company and work information and updates, a channel to communicate with their colleagues, get paired with a buddy on their team, and stay on track in their career.
“We’re looking to partner with triiyo because we understand that life and work go hand in hand,” Donna Mcleod, Director Workforce Capability and Talent at Department of Regional NSW, said. “It’s no longer you leave work to go and have a life, people are living at work and working at life.
“So, we really want to make sure our teams have support, and that they’ve got a means of staying connected at a cadence that suits them,” Mcleod added. “Being able to access information on the triiyo platform, regardless of gender, will help all parents on their journey.”
Mcleod emphasised the importance of open communication between managers and their employees at every stage of parental leave – from finding out that they’re pregnant to putting together a communications plan while they’re away, to career planning for when they return to work.
“I think in the early days, it’s about creating a safe space for employees and managers to have an open conversation,” Mcleod said. “Because in the early stages, there are a number of scans, blood works, and doctor’s appointments that need to happen – and a number of women feel unwell through the first trimester. So, it’s about talking to employees and asking, ‘How can we support you? What can we put in place?’ and being really adaptive.”
triiyo has ensured that the platform is secure for employees to access the information they need for their parental leave journey with their manager when they’re ready. Companies can also upload to the platform their policies and procedures, and create community channels where employees can connect with their colleagues who are also on leave to share experiences and seek advice.
There will also be a resource hub curated by experts to support them through every stage of every life event – from miscarriage and infertility to balancing work with parenthood. For those opting in to the platform, employees will receive guidance and reminders with what they need to do and what they need to think about at each stage in accordance to company policy and best practice. Information is delivered in real time, according to each individual’s personal timeline.
“We specifically designed triiyo to exist outside of company HR systems, so employees can access a safe and confidential space that ensures people get support early-on in what many employees fear are career-limiting life phases,” Rebecca Grainger, founder of triiyo, said.
