Research shows that flexible working arrangements help businesses retain valuable staff, minimise turnover costs and boost productivity, staff morale and customer satisfaction.
The 2009–10 National Work–Life Balance Awards, announced at Old Parliament House in Canberra earlier this week, recognise family friendly practices like flexible working hours, options for working from home, paid parental leave, job sharing, onsite carer’s facilities and study assistance. Part of this is a commitment to make Australian workplaces more flexible and family friendly, and through that, more productive.
The new Fair Work system provides a range of entitlements to help balance work and family life, including:
- 12 months unpaid parental leave guaranteed under the 10 National Employment Standards; and
- the right to request flexible working arrangements such as an additional 12 months unpaid parental leave and returning to work part-time.
Further assistance for small businesses to implement family-friendly work practices is available through grants of up to $15 000 under the Fresh Ideas for Work and Family program.
So, who’s leading the way right now? See below.
2009–10 winners:
- Probuild Constructions (Aust) Pty Ltd (VIC) (National Winner)
Minter Ellison Perth (WA)
Playgroup Association of Queensland Inc. (QLD)
Norwest Child Care Centre Pty Ltd (NSW)
Landgate (WA)
Take A Break Away Pty Ltd (ACT)
Special Commendations:
- Disability Attendant Support Service Inc. (DASSI) (VIC)
Transport Accident Commission (VIC)
Woodside Energy Ltd (WA)
The Wrigley Company (NSW)
SageCo Pty Ltd (NSW)
For more details and pictures of the winners and finalists, visit http://www.deewr.gov.au/worklife.
How flexible are your working arrangements?
Article by Christie Lewis
Christie is Practice Manager at Alan Lewis Accountants . Besides accounting, her passion is for all things small business (and blogging, of course). You can contact Christie directly at christie@lewistaxation.com.au.
Christie has written 799 awesome articles for us at Alan Lewis Accountants – BLOG
Twitter: @christielewis
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Could I have permision to use the work life balance image on my website.
Many thansk
Joan
Hi Joan,
Please feel free to use the graphic on your Stress Management & Counselling site.
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