This section gives a high-level overview of the various leave, benefits, and other policies at Octopus. It’s not exhaustive, so check the policy page it links to for specific details.
Since we employ people worldwide, the arrangements for each are a little different. You’ll actually be employed by a different company:
- Octopus Deploy Pty. Ltd. for Australian staff
- Octopus Deploy Inc. and TriNet for US staff
- Octopus Deploy Ltd. for UK staff
- Octopus Deploy NZ Ltd. for NZ staff
- Remote.com for staff in other geographies
The US, UK, and NZ companies are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Australian company. We don’t hire people as contractors (except for short engagements), so everybody is a permanent employee.
In the US, we use TriNet, a professional employer organization. They administer your health benefits and payroll. It’s a co-employment relationship; you’re employed through Octopus and TriNet.
Vacation, Annual, and Sick/Carer’s Leave
Leave entitlements vary by country due to different legal requirements and norms. We’ve aimed to keep things as consistent as possible while ensuring compliance with local regulations.
In all countries, we offer at least:
- 25 days of annual leave
- 10 days of paid sick & carers leave
- 2 months of celebration leave after 10 years of service
(Some countries may have higher entitlements based on local laws.)
End of Year Shutdown
Octopus Deploy has a shutdown period each year from 25 December to 1 January. While we encourage everyone to take time off to rest and recharge, it’s entirely optional. For those who choose to take 3 days of PTO during this time, we offer 2 additional days of Shutdown Bonus Leave!
Parental Leave
Becoming a parent is an exciting journey for many people, and at Octopus, we would like to support you in this journey. Anyone becoming a parent through childbirth or adoption, as long as they have been working at Octopus for at least 12 months at the time of the event.
Upon the birth or adoption of a child (an ‘event’), we’ll offer you:
- 12 weeks of fully Paid Parental Leave, regardless of whether you are the primary or secondary carer. This will be in addition to other benefits you may be entitled to, for example, the Government-paid parental leave scheme in Australia.
- Superannuation and pension contributions will continue to be paid in full during the 12 weeks of paid parental leave
- Annual and sick leave continue to accrue during the 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
In the tragic circumstances of stillbirth, from the 20th week of pregnancy onwards, you remain entitled to paid and unpaid parental leave.
In addition to the 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave, you may also decide to take up to 12 months of Unpaid Parental Leave, followed by an additional 12 months subject to approval.
Our Paid Parental Leave can be used flexibly over the six months following the event. The first six weeks must be taken as a single block immediately before or after the event. The other six weeks can be taken flexibly over the six months following the event - e.g., returning to work four days per week, taking every Friday off.
Healthcare and Benefits (US)
In the US, we offer generous healthcare benefits through TriNet. This includes:
| Employee | Dependents | |
|---|---|---|
| Medical | 100% | 75% |
| Vision | 100% | 75% |
| Dental | 100% | 75% |
| Life Insurance up to $50,000* | 100% | n/a |
| Long term disability | 100% | n/a |
Medical coverage is provided by United HealthCare. Employees can choose from a number of different plans, and Octopus will cover 100% (employee) or 75% (dependents) of the premiums for most of them. There are additional, more expensive plans beyond that - employees can choose to make up the difference if one of those plans are preferred.
We offer multiple plans including PPO, HMO, and HDHP with HSA. We also have available Healthcare FSA and Dependent Day Care FSACare FSA.
Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom have functioning first-world public healthcare systems 😉, so we don’t offer these programs there.
Retirement funds
In Australia, Octopus pays the mandatory superannuation guarantee on your behalf to your nominated fund.
In the UK, we deduct 5% of your salary on your behalf, less the government rebate. Nest (the pension provider) claims the government rebate on your behalf. You can choose to opt out (subject to pensions guidelines). If you make salary contributions Octopus will also contribute an additional 5%, that is not deducted from your pay.
In the US, you can contribute to Trinet’s Empower 401(k) fund. Octopus matches your contribution depending on what you contribute, to a maximum of 4%.
In NZ, If you opt to make pension contributions from your salary, Octopus will also contribute 3% towards Kiwisaver.
Page updated on Tuesday, May 23, 2023