Flexible work practices prove popular

19 June 2007
Flexible work practices prove popular

Over 90 per cent of New Zealand employers and employees who participated in a public consultation support increasing flexible work in their workplace.

Last year, the Department of Labour asked New Zealanders for feedback on how they envisage workplace flexibility working for them, Acting Chief Executive Graeme Buchanan said.

“The findings show that for workplace flexibility to be effective, it must meet the needs of both employers and employees,” he said.

Nearly 800 submissions were received from both individuals and groups - including businesses, unions, non-government organisations, voluntary and community groups, and Maori and Pacific Island groups.

While many respondents said they already benefit from workplace flexibility, there was a general consensus that more could be done to increase both availability and take-up.

“The most important factors to making flexible work arrangements effective were identified as effective communication, good information backed up by processes and structures within the workplace, and strong leadership from the top down.

“Effective communication between employers and employees is vital to ensure clarity around flexibility options, processes in place, and benefits of flexibility in their workplace. Managers need to clearly communicate the range of flexible work options for their staff, and how these could impact on other team members.

“Also key is having easily accessible information coupled with effective workplace structures and processes. This could be formal policies or guidelines on how to manage and implement flexible work for both employees and managers.

“Finally, workplace leadership and a positive workplace culture are vital – an organisation needs to support and promote flexible work from the top down. This provides the environment for managers, employees and teams to think outside the square to find solutions,” Mr Buchanan said.

Over 60 per cent of respondents supported legislating for employees’ rights to request flexible work. Support was mainly from individuals, unions, and community groups. However this approach also received the highest level of opposition, mainly from employers and business and industry groups.

“There is general consensus that flexible work is not just important for individuals and organisations - but also for families, communities and the environment.

“These findings will be used in the Department’s further work on practical ways to introduce and manage flexible work.”

The findings of the Department of Labour’s flexible work consultation can be found at: http://www.dol.govt.nz/consultation/qualityflexiblework/overview.asp

Background:

In 2006, the Department of Labour was asked by the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee of Parliament to consult widely about the best mechanisms to deliver flexible work practices in New Zealand.

The Department carried out a public consultation on quality flexible work between 6 November and 15 December 2006.

The Department reported to the Committee on the consultation’s findings on 14 June 2007.

The Department is also working with workplace leaders to find practical ways to introduce and manage flexible work in workplaces.

ENDS

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