Rio Tinto
Creating a workplace where fathers can thrive at work and at home.
Work and family shouldn’t be an either-or choice.
Rio Tinto has been named Australia’s Best Workplace for Fathers 2026, recognising its commitment to creating a workplace where fathers are supported to play an active and meaningful role in their children’s lives.
Across a workforce that includes office-based, operational and FIFO employees, Rio Tinto has worked to make supporting families part of its workplace culture — not simply a collection of policies.
At the heart of that approach is a simple principle: employees shouldn’t have to choose between being committed to their work and being present for their families.
“You don’t have to choose between work and home — you’re able to bring your best self at work, and we’re able to provide the culture, flexibility and leadership for you to be the best parent and the best father at home.”
What supporting fathers looks like in practice.
Matt Kimball, Vice-President People, shares how parental leave, flexibility and workplace culture can give fathers greater opportunity to be present for their families — without feeling they need to step away from their careers.
Giving fathers the time to be there from the beginning.
Families today look different, and the way parents share work and care is changing too.
Rio Tinto offers 4.5 months of paid parental leave to all parents, creating greater opportunity for fathers to take an active caregiving role during some of the most formative months of their child’s life.
Importantly, the approach recognises that simply having a policy is not enough. Fathers also need to feel culturally supported to use it.
That means creating a workplace where taking parental leave, adjusting working arrangements or talking openly about family responsibilities is not seen as a lack of commitment to work.
“I know I’m a better dad because of it.”
For Rio Tinto employee and dad Reece, having access to parental leave gave him something incredibly valuable: time.
Time to support his family through those formative early months. Time to make breakfast, do school pick-ups, play games and create memories with his children.
Like many fathers, Reece also experienced some uncertainty about what taking extended time away from work might mean for his career and how he would be perceived when he returned.
Instead, he came back feeling the experience had strengthened him — both at home and at work.
“I felt like a better dad, a better husband and a better team member here at Rio, as I was able to bring my whole self to work.”
Workplaces help make everyday moments of care possible.
Breakfast before work. School pick-up. Being there during the first months of a baby’s life. Making a game, a concert or an appointment. Having the flexibility to be present when a child simply needs Dad.
These moments can look small from the outside, but they are part of how children build strong, secure relationships with their fathers.
Workplaces have an important role to play in making that connection possible.
Supporting dads to care helps children thrive.
Explore The Care Factor campaignCreating a culture where fathers can talk about family.
Rio Tinto’s approach to supporting fathers extends beyond the first months of parenthood.
Flexible working arrangements help employees navigate family life as their children grow, while leaders are encouraged to listen to what individual employees and families actually need rather than making assumptions.
That flexibility can be particularly important for FIFO families, where long working days and periods away from home can mean fathers inevitably miss some everyday moments.
Rio Tinto is also seeing more men openly talking about fatherhood — sharing what they are proud of, as well as some of the challenges they may be experiencing at home.
It reflects a broader understanding that employees don’t simply swipe their card at work and leave the rest of their life behind them.
Strong families. Strong communities. Thriving workplaces.
Supporting fathers isn’t about asking workplaces to choose family over performance. It is about recognising that the two are connected.
When fathers feel trusted and supported to care, they can be more present at home while continuing to contribute and grow at work.
Rio Tinto’s recognition as Australia’s Best Workplace for Fathers reflects the role employers can play in creating the conditions that allow dads to be actively involved in their children’s lives.
“Strong families create strong communities — and that creates thriving workplaces.”
