Parental leave at UGL is designed to give employees time to bond with their children and embrace the early moments of parenthood. For Project Manager – Systems, Daniel Pearn, it was an opportunity to witness his son Henry’s rapid development—from a calm baby to crawling “at 300 miles an hour.”
Daniel initially took three weeks of leave when Henry was born, followed by just over three months of primary carer’s leave when his wife returned to full-time work.
“The fact that UGL said, ‘Yes, of course, take the leave,’ was amazing!” said Daniel. “I was still able to be on full pay through UGL’s primary carer’s policy, meet my financial commitments, and have that time off knowing the company supported me.”
During his leave, Daniel quickly adapted to a new routine—caring for Henry, managing household tasks, planning meals, attending library activities, and fitting in walks with their Labrador. His time at home strengthened his bond with Henry, making him the go-to parent for comfort.
“My wife would joke that Henry preferred me when he got upset and wanted to be consoled,” he said.
While much of the experience was joyful, Daniel acknowledged the challenges. Parental leave gave him a new perspective on the mental load of running a household and caring full-time for a child. For his wife, this support eased her transition back to work as a lawyer.
“It made it easy for her to go back to work, knowing Henry’s needs were being met at home,” said Daniel.
Returning to work was another transition, but UGL provided full support, helping Daniel feel confident stepping back into his role without pressure or isolation.
His advice for anyone considering parental leave:
“You have to do it. It’s so special—not just for bonding, but for gaining perspective and appreciating what goes into parenting every day. It makes you realise that family is important, especially those early moments—they’re fleeting.”
UGL’s commitment to supporting employees in balancing family and work demonstrates how parental leave policies create lasting benefits for families and careers alike.