Small Business - Gaining Work/Life Balance

Tried and tested practical resources specifically developed for small business.

Small business's have unique opportunities and challenges to address the work/life needs of staff and the business owners. Whilst in many cases having a small team can offer greater flexibility and responsiveness to both business and family needs it can also create difficulties in maintaining customer service levels and productivity.

Our research and practical experience in working with small business owners and managers (as well as nearly twenty years as leading edge consultants for the corporate and private sector) would suggest that whilst many would like to do more to assist their staff, through additional work and family programs they are limited by time and potential costs.

Recognising these concerns, Managing WorkiLife Balance International's consultants have developed a suite of materials and programs that enable the owner/manager to introduce sound policies and initiatives, including flexible work arrangements, that are low cost, low maintenance and relatively easy to manage.

We can assist through:

Advice and guidance about how to asses and understand employee work/family/lifestyle needs. Includes a mini survey.
A flexible work arrangement Tool Kit for Small Business
Flexible work arrangement policies and guidelines
A Carers Information Kit - specifically for Small Business
Workshops for managers and staff - 'Creating and sustaining work/life balance'
Ongoing consulting 'package' which enables the business owner/manager to access professional advice and guidance from an experienced work/life consultant as required.

In addition we can assist in the preparation of submissions for the Fresh Ideas for Work and Family Grants - from the Federal Government - see below for full details.

Fresh Ideas for Work and Family - Grants

The Australian Government has introduced the Fresh Ideas for Work and Family grants program to support Australian small businesses to implement practices that help employees balance their work and family obligations as well as improve employee retention and productivity.

The program provides grants of $5,000 to $15,000 (GST inclusive) to small businesses to help meet the set-up costs of family friendly arrangements that suit the individual needs of the business.

The program is administered in funding rounds by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

Further information on family friendly work arrangements, work-life balance and the program is available deewr website. You may also call the Workplace Infoline from 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday on 1300 363 264, email FIWF@deewr.gov.au.

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