At Auror, supporting parents means more than time away from work. It’s about being there for every step of the journey. From the moment someone finds out they’re expecting, through those first sleepless weeks, and into the transition back to work, our parental benefits are designed to make sure Aurors feel supported, cared for, and connected.

Our benefit is inclusive, flexible, and consistent. It’s available to all parents regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or family composition, and consistent across every country we operate in. Importantly, it’s also available from day one of joining Auror, because every parent deserves equal access to the support they need, without waiting periods.

We provide 12 weeks of full pay for birth or primary caregivers, and 6 weeks of full pay for partner or non-birth caregivers (including adoption and surrogacy). On top of this, parents receive bonus “parental bonus days” to catch up on sleep or spend extra time with their little one once they’re back at work. And because parenting takes more than time, we also offer meal support and access to expert sessions that can be used for any additional support required such as sleep consultants, lactation consultants or even financial coaching.

But what really brings our parental benefit to life are the stories of the Aurors who’ve experienced it. We sat down with three of our team members who have recently welcomed a little one to learn what moments mattered most.

Practical support for new parents

When Emma Boulter, our Customer Strategy Director in Melbourne, became a mum, she quickly learned that the early weeks were a whirlwind.

“Everyone says nothing can truly prepare you, and they’re right. Becoming a mother completely reshapes your sense of self, identity, and priorities,” she says.

For her, it wasn’t just about paid leave, the magic was in the practical support that made daily life easier. Auror offers eight weeks of “Meals on Us” support (weekly allowances for groceries, meal kits, or takeaway) to lighten the load at home. ‍

“This was a game changer for us. Not having to worry about groceries or meal prep when you’re sleep-deprived was an absolute lifesaver.”

She also tapped into our Expert Sessions benefit, which covers services like lactation consultants, therapy, or postpartum treatments.

“Accessing private pre- and postnatal services can be expensive and often feel out of reach, so having these resources available made a huge difference,” Emma shared.

Farshid Shokoohi, a Staff Software Engineer in our Wellington team, echoed the same sentiment when his daughter, Chloe arrived earlier than expected.

“Those first weeks can feel overwhelming, but knowing I could step back from work using parental leave let us focus on what mattered most: Chloe’s wellbeing and my wife’s recovery.”

Staying connected, without pressure

Parental leave isn’t just about stepping away, it’s also about staying connected in ways that feel right for each parent. And that looks different for everyone.

For Kylene Jones, our Senior Director of Retail Solutions in Denver, the Keep in Touch days were invaluable. These optional, paid days allow parents to join team events, key meetings, or even just spend time with their manager while on leave, so they never feel out of the loop unless they want to.

“I was invited to events like Auror Thanksgiving, quarterly meetings, and even had the opportunity to bring my daughter along. This helped me feel connected both personally and professionally, without the pressure to be ‘back at work.”

She even joined the team at Auror Impact, our company retreat, in Queenstown whilst on maternity leave, which she described as a highlight.

“Even though I was away for nine months, these touchpoints filled in the gaps and helped me stay connected, so coming back to work wasn’t a disorienting experience.”

We believe that connection without obligation helps parents ease back into work life with confidence when they are ready.

Flexibility that makes re-entry seamless

Returning to work after parental leave looks different for everyone.

At Auror, we partner with each parent to create a return-to-work plan that works for them and their family. That could mean easing back into hours gradually, choosing when and where to work, or archiving their slack channels and inbox before returning to avoid information overload. We understand that every family looks different, and we want the transition back to feel supportive, flexible, and sustainable.

Farshid described how flexibility helped him find balance.

“My manager encouraged me to ease back in at a pace that suited our new family routine. I never felt guilty for putting family first, and I could still deliver quality work when I was online.”

Kylene highlighted the same thing: “Even though I was away for nine months, I came back feeling supported, not behind.”

Her experience is proof that when flexibility is built in, parents can return confident and connected rather than catching up from behind.

Why it matters

For Emma, what stood out most was the culture behind the benefit.

“The feeling of being completely supported not just by my immediate team, but by the whole company. It reminded me how special our culture really is.”

For Kylene, it was the contrast to other companies in the US.

“Auror provided me with three months of paid parental leave, plus an additional nine months of unpaid leave, which is practically unheard of in the US. I was encouraged, without guilt or pressure, to take the time I needed. What really stood out was that this support is consistent globally. It shows that valuing families and wellbeing is embedded in Auror’s culture.”

And for Farshid, it was the peace of mind: “That’s exactly what effective parental leave should provide.”

At Auror, parental leave isn’t just a benefit, it’s a reflection of our culture. We design every part of it to give parents what they need most: time, flexibility, and peace of mind. Because supporting our team means they can thrive, at home, at work, and everywhere in between.

Visit our Careers page for our current open roles.