Woolworths will introduce paid maternity leave from July 1, becoming Australia's largest employer to make the move. 

At a press conference this morning, CEO Michael Luscombe said the majority of Woolworths' employees were women with families. 

"Enhanced maternity leave benefits are just one way to affirm our commitment to our most valuable asset - our staff," Luscombe said. 

He said the new maternity benefits would operate identically across all of Woolworths' Australian divisions - including Woolworths and Safeway supermarkets, petrol stations and liquor stores, Big W, Dick Smith Electronics, BWS, Dan Murphy's and ALH venues. 

Australian-based employees who have worked for any Woolworths division for two years or more in a permanent role will be entitled to up to eight weeks leave at full pay. Other maternity benefits will also be increased including the ability to now take two years leave from work. 

Woolworths' New Zealand divisions already offer paid maternity leave as part of the New Zealand Government's program. 

Woolworths in Australia employees 85,000 female employees.

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