DHL EXPRESS

Returning to work after an extended period can be challenging, especially for new parents. The DHL Express Global HR team recognised that there was a lack of consistent global support for employees on extended leave. To address this, DHL wanted to develop some common standards to support new parents throughout their journey, while allowing for legal flexibility in different countries.

We conducted internal workshops and desk-based research to identify the challenges faced globally by DHL employees during all stages of parental leave, including preparing to leave, being on leave and returning to work.

Based on our insights and best practices, we provided DHL with recommendations on their approach to parental leave policies. A creative concept was developed using a single line to show the journey from work to parental leave, interspersed with real imagery. This was complemented by a warm brand colour pallet, providing a sense of compassion, and understanding, ensuring this felt less like a standard corporate guide.

We produced guides for new parents, line managers, and local HR teams, covering key stages of the journey and addressing common concerns. The guides were created with legal input to ensure global applicability, with editable files created to enable for local adaptation based on country-specific legal requirements.

The guides provide DHL employees with clear information, links, and resources to help them navigate their personal journey with ease, establishing clear expectations and supporting employees through all stages of parental leave.

The HR and manager guides educate key stakeholders on managing parental leave in a fair and supportive manner, ensuring employees feel valued and part of the team. The guides clearly define HR and manager roles and responsibilities, ensuring consistency and support for employees throughout their journey.

The global release of the guides ensures that DHL employees have consistent experiences regardless of country or team setup, while allowing for country-specific variations based on government policies. Our approach has helped to promote a culture of inclusivity and support for new parents at DHL.