Welcoming a new child is one of life’s biggest milestones, and it often brings big adjustments both at home and at work. At Admiral, we aim to support colleagues through that transition in a way that feels practical, flexible, and respectful of each family’s circumstances.

Because everyone’s journey is different, our parental leave supports are built with flexibility in mind. Whether you’re carrying a baby, adopting, becoming a non‑birth parent, or sharing responsibilities through split leave, Admiral provides financial support, role security, and personalized guidance to help colleagues step confidently into this new chapter.

In our latest Where You Can feature, we spoke with Dmitry, a Senior Automation Engineer on our Cyber Security team, who recently returned from parental leave after welcoming his son, Atlas. He shared what his time away meant to him, how Admiral supported his journey, and what he’d tell anyone preparing to take parental leave for the first time.

Dmitry’s Story

Meet Dmitry
Role: Senior Automation Engineer, Security Automation Engineering (Cyber Security)
Time at Admiral: 28 months

What led you to take parental leave, and how did you decide on the amount of time you spent away from work?

I was mostly raised by my mother, and while my father wasn’t heavily involved in day to day parenting, he still played a significant role in shaping my worldview and big life decisions. Because of that upbringing, I was determined to be a present, hands on dad from the very beginning. That intention was reinforced by insights from Secrets of the Sprakkar, a book I purchased through BABS, which highlighted how early involvement strengthens the father–child bond and can meaningfully benefit children—especially boys, by lowering rates of behavioural challenges. Like any parent, I wanted the best possible start for my son.

My wife and I put a lot of thought into the duration of leave. We knew we wanted to use the full 12 months available between us and split it. While she initially hoped to take most of the year, her employer’s less supportive top up policy meant that a roughly 60/40 split was best for us financially. She took the first portion of the leave, both to support her recovery and to enjoy bonding with our son during those adorable early months.

What were the most meaningful or memorable parts of your time at home with your son?

There were many memorable days with Atlas, but they often followed a warm, familiar rhythm. We’d start with breakfast—him eating at his own pace, exploring textures, watching me eat, and building positive associations with food. After some playtime at home, we’d head out to explore whenever the weather allowed.

Some days it was a new park or a set of swings; other days we’d walk nearby trails or wander around the local airport. Atlas is incredibly curious, and seeing him absorb the world—with my constant commentary as his guide—was special. We’d often stop by local vendors to pick out fresh, healthy ingredients to cook for dinner, adding variety and adventure to our meals. Watching how the community interacted with him—and how he’d respond with affection and fascination—was something I’ll never forget.

How would you describe your experience navigating Admiral’s parental leave program and supports?

From the very start, the experience was smooth and supportive. I was quickly connected with Carneseia Connors, who made everything as simple as possible. She was always easy to talk to, quick to answer questions, and very supportive of any decision I was considering. When plans needed adjusting, she was flexible and accommodating.

My manager was equally encouraging, and together we were able to shape the formal policy around my work life balance needs without ever feeling constrained by predetermined rules. I felt like part of a team and always had a sense of agency. I also felt completely reassured about my role security, and I kept in regular contact with both Carneseia and my manager throughout my leave.

I often praise Admiral Canada’s parental leave top up policy to others because it truly is industry leading—especially for fathers. Raising a child comes with significant costs, and any financial support has a long-term impact. In a culture where men are often expected to prioritize being financial providers over emotional caregivers, Admiral’s top up meant I didn’t have to choose. I really could do both.

As a remote colleague, how has your transition back to work been?

Balancing work and parenting hasn’t been easy, so the flexibility I receive from my manager has been absolutely essential. Not having a customer facing role helps, but it’s really his understanding that has made the difference. That flexibility has allowed me to maintain confidence in my abilities and show up as my best self, even while navigating a constantly shifting routine with my son. The lack of rigid scheduling has been invaluable in making this transition manageable.

What would you tell a colleague who’s about to take parental leave for the first time?

I’d tell them that their parental leave journey will be entirely their own—full of challenges, obstacles, and incredibly rewarding moments. But one thing they won’t have to worry about is Admiral. The support is there, and they’ll have the flexibility and guidance to make the most of their parental leave.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience with the parental leave policy or process?

Admiral’s support began long before my formal parental leave. Because my wife and I split the leave, my portion fell in the latter half of our son’s first year. But to get there, we first had to navigate a challenging birth, and in the immediate aftermath my wife needed significant support.

Admiral didn’t hesitate—they sent a personalized package of high quality items for our son (the facial cream for rashes was especially handy), and I was supported in taking a month off at very short notice, including the five days of birth leave that was separate to my parental leave later in the year. That time was invaluable and allowed me to focus entirely on my family when they needed me most.

Where You Can Start — and Grow — Your Family

Dmitry’s experience reflects what we strive for across Admiral: a workplace where colleagues are supported through every chapter of life. Our parental leave supports include:

• Up to 77 weeks of job‑protected leave time (may vary based on provincial labour standards).
• Industry‑leading top‑up pay, bringing eligible colleagues to 100% of their regular weekly salary for up to 26 weeks
• Five days of paid Birth Leave for non‑birth parents
• Paid time off for key prenatal and adoption‑related appointments
• Personalized support from our Wellbeing & Engagement team before, during, and after leave
• Guaranteed role security, with continued access to shares and benefits

Whether you’re growing your family now or in the future, Admiral is a place Where You Can Be You fully supported, valued, and yourself.

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