"Flexibility in where, when and how work is undertaken is a priority for most employees at different times in their careers if employers are to attract and retain staff they need to offer and support flexibility at their workplace".
Workplace flexibility is a critical component of any attraction and retention strategy. Australian and international research clearly indicates that employees, be they Baby Boomers, Gen X or Gen Y, perceive flexibility in when, where and how they achieve their work commitments to be a key factor in maintaining their motivation and commitment to their employer. Best Practice employers have put processes in place that ensure their responses and management of flexible work options meet the requirements of the legislation, are non-discriminatory and address the needs of the business and the employee.
A new concept implemented by organisations such as Telstra, ANZ Bank, and the ASX promotes All Roles Flex. Supported by their CEO's the organisation's promote the belief that all roles can be undertaken flexibly, and that the employee does not need to justify or disclose their reasons for their application. So saying No means that the manager has to demonstrate very strong business reasons for that decision. This approach demands a massive shift in corporate culture, behaviours and attitudes. This highlights the need for manager education and support.
The data collected by Managing Work|Life Balance and other international researchers has found that organisations are often hindered in their attempts to implement flexible work arrangements by leaders in their organisation who find it difficult to change their views about the value of flexible working.
Furthermore,many managers/leaders feel they are not competent enough to manage flexibility within their work teams. This reinforces the need for organisations to take action and not only develop a workplace culture that is flexible and responsive to the needs of employees, but also to skill and educate their managers.
Making Flexibility Work: If you are a member of Linkedin, click here to see our Discussion Page. (If you are not a member, you can also click this link to join.)
A practical, tried and tested suite of materials that give Managers, HR Professionals and Employees the tools and information they need to implement and make flexibility work, in their workplace.
The Kits were designed and tested by our consulting team, who have over 25 years experience in partnering with clients to implement flexible work arrangements. The Flexible Work Arrangement Tool Kits are regularly upgraded to reflect the changing needs of Employers and Employees. Changes to employment legislation and the introduction of the Fair Work Act mean that employers need to have a process in place to manage and respond appropriately to requests for a flexible work arrangement. These Tool Kits provide a sound basis for that process.
This Kit is designed for HR Professionals and Managers who are responsible for the implementation of flexible work arrangements within their workplace. It provides information on compliance issues such as those contained in the Fair Work Act 2010.
These materials provide a basis for an application for a flexible work option and transparent decision-making which are key components of the new 'right to request a flexible work option' contained within the government's National Employment Standards.
The kits include detailed information that will enable managers, employees and team members to:
1. The Employee Guide assists the Employee to build their business case for change, gain an understanding of the impact of the change on their job role, their work/life balance and their contribution to the team. It includes:
2. The Manager Guide highlights the benefits of flexible working and outlines the decision-making process to be used when reviewing a request for flexible working. It includes:
3. The Implementation Guide is designed for the HR Practitioner or Manager who is supporting others to implement flexible work arrangements within the workplace. It contains information about:
In each booklet, there are examples and case studies that can be tailored to reflect the organisation's business environment.
Clients may purchase the license to produce these Kits within their organisations. They can be tailored to meet specific business environments, and can be placed on the organisation's intranet. Contact Managing Work|Life Balance for more information.
Educating and skilling executives and managers has been identified as one of the major contributors to the development of a flexible workplace culture. Providing managers with the tools to manage flexibility issues within their teams helps to build their confidence and enables them to develop a team culture where flexible working becomes ‘the way we work here’.
Our highly participative workshops are based on adult learning principles and include a range of activities such as case studies, group discussions and skills practices to ensure the full involvement of all participants. We offer sessions for staff at all levels of the organisation.
This is a high level workshop designed specifically for Senior Managers and HR Professionals who need to manage the implementation of flexible working within their business units. The workshop is tailored to meet the specific needs of each organisation. Key components include:
We work with you to build the most appropriate experience for your Managers and HR Professionals, We also provide fully customised work books and guides for each workshop participant. Please contact us for further details.
Senior management sessions focus on strategic business issues and outcomes and are customised for each client to meet specific organisational needs.
The sessions can include an overview of compliance issues, particularly those relating to the new Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations relating to Women on Boards and Diversity requirements, as well as the Fair Work Act 2010. As well, emphasis can be given to the issues relating to the attraction and retention of talent. Our consultants would welcome the opportunity to discuss with you your specific needs and priorities and develop an appropriate briefing session.
Since the introduction of the Fair Work Act 2010, as well as participating in the culture change process where the organisation has adopted the All Roles Flex, approach to flexible working, it has become even more important to provide managers with both the skills and processes to ensure their ability to manage such situations. All too often, leaders have not had the experience or training to manage the introduction of flexible working, in their teams, in a positive way.
Our workshops, training programs and briefing sessions provide
to enable managers and team leaders to implement work/life options and flexible work practices, so as to respond appropriately to the needs of employees in a way which complements and supports business goals and values.
Our consultants design and facilitate sessions for both managers and employees who wish to access flexible work arrangements within their workplace and ensure their successful implementation. Talk to us about how we can share our experiences and help your organisation meet the needs of your staff. Contact us now
This is the Managing Work Life Balance website. Please follow these links to access the Elderdcare Information Kit website or the Childcare Information Kit website.
P +61 2 9411 2434
PO Box 12, Roseville NSW 2069
If you have any questions about how we can help you or about our services, please contact us.
