Flexible working in Australia and New Zealand is becoming widely
accepted and a hot topic. In business today, flexible working isn't an
option - it's a necessity. There are a numbers of employees wanting to
work flexibly in order to achieve a work life balance. Apart from your
legal obligations, businesses are appreciating more and more how
flexible working can benefit their performance through improved staff
motivation and productivity.
Attract Skilled & Motivated Staff - Retain Talent
As well as attracting more talent providing flexibility helps you
keep trained, skilled people whose changing circumstances may otherwise
have led them to leave. Higher retention rates of staff and increased
return rates from parental leave. When an Employer holds onto its most
skilled and experienced people it's good news for all involved.
Motivate & Energised Staff
Staff morale is higher and this increases your bottom line,
productivity and profits. Today's evidence shows that flexible and
enlightened working practices are good for business. Achieving a work
life balance between the needs of home and work is a win win for the
employee and the employer.
Increased Employee Satisfaction
A happier workplace is created, teamwork improves, stress levels are
reduced, motivation increases and knowledge and enthusiasm is shared
Reduced Absenteeism
Staff stress levels drop, unplanned absences are reduced as
employees are able to balance their work and family responsibilities.
Increased Management Skills
Managing a more diverse workforce as leaders and managers you are compelled to "look outside the square".
You Will Become An Employer Of Choice
Attract new talent and recruit hard to fill positions as you are
known as an Employer of Choice. Flexibility will give your business a
bigger pool of talent to draw from and a real competitive advantage.
Customers are also attracted by the favourable image and employee
motivation can be easy to maintain because of a shared pride. People
who work for best employers let others know about it.
Reduced Operating Costs
Office space can be reduced and used more effectively which lowers
accommodation costs. Desk sharing can be introduced if employees work
remotely and flexibly. A flexible and remote working plan enables
companies to retain valued staff by offering them choices to suit their
lifestyle demands.
Improved Business Performance
Flexible working times can help businesses to better meet customers
needs as working patterns can be matched to when the service is
required with the ability to match work provisions closely with
customer/product demand.Contact time with clients is increased as a
result of reduced travel. Giving employees more control over their work
life balance also means they are more productive during each working
hour.
Good For Small Business
Smaller businesses often offer flexibility as a successful
recruitment tactic. It is one of the ways they can stay competitive
with bigger companies. In addition, many businesses provide flexible
work schedules because they think such policies simply make good
business sense. Flexible schedules provide a work-life balance which is
favoured by many potential employees, and instating such policies can
help small businesses to attract and retain the best of the best
Reduces Business Expenses
Companies can save substantial amounts of money through flexible working. Reduces business expenses: sick time (less is used); productivity (employees are more productive);resources(less computer space and access are needed, increased hours of customer service; employee safety (fewer accidents at the job site and commuting);environmental requirements(reducing the number of commuters) and relocation of employees (tele-working may avoid relocating workers
Australian data from the 2007 National Work/Life Benchmarking Study (Barbara Holmes, Work Life Balance International) found that best practice organisations reported the following key benefits from flexible work arrangements:
- 37% stated that their work/life balance strategy contributed to a reduction in absenteeism
- 88% stated that flexible work place practices have helped to manage staff more effectively
- 79% reported a positive impact on work productivity
- 76% stated that flexible workplace practices enabled them to consistently attract and retain the best possible talent
- 54% said that their work/life balance strategies have contributed to a reduction in staff turnover.
Lifestyle Careers are pleased to advise that we have established partnerships with the leading flexibility experts in Australia and New Zealand to assist you on how to make the most of flexible working and implementing flexible work practices within your organization.