ANZ has introduced paid gender affirmation leave.

The bank’s employees in Australia and New Zealand are being offered paid leave while they are affirming their gender. 

Employees can take up to six weeks of paid leave and up to 12 months of unpaid leave for any aspect of social, medical and legal gender affirmation. 

Social aspects include, but are not limited to, adopting the dress and style of presentation that better aligns with their gender identity and expression, as well as changing their pronouns and/or name. 

Medical aspects include surgery, hormone therapy or both, medical appointments, as well as rest and recovery from medical procedures. 

“People who are affirming their gender do not need to exhaust their annual or sick leave entitlements, while also easing some of the financial pressures,” ANZ’s Diversity and Inclusion Lead, Fiona MacDonald said.

“This is especially important as research shows that trans and gender diverse people are more likely to experience lower incomes and employment rates.”

It is part of a broad move to make workplaces more inclusive for trans and gender diverse people.

Woolworths already offers employees up to two weeks of paid leave, and two weeks of unpaid leave, to support them as they take steps to affirm their gender. 

Allianz Insurance introduced paid gender affirmation leave in 2021, offering up to four weeks of paid leave and up to 12 months of unpaid leave. 

Telstra launched a gender affirmation leave policy last year that allows eligible permanent employees based in Australia to access eight weeks of paid leave to affirm their gender. 

Coles announced employees can access 10 days of leave to undergo gender affirmation just last month.