Launch of booklet about family-friendly work practices

21/6/96

Businesses can improve their profits and employees can have less stressful lifestyles by introducing family-friendly work practices under Western Australia's flexible industrial relations laws, Labour Relations Minister Graham Kierath said.

He said workplace agreements provided an opportunity for many initiatives which might not have been possible under the award system.

Launching a new publication, Work and Family Makes Cents, Mr Kierath said the Government was developing a program to encourage family-friendly initiatives.

The program would include:

development of a comprehensive work and family policy and informative 'how to' programs;

establishment of a database on work and family initiatives in the private and public sectors; and -

a system of accreditation of organisations which demonstrate a commitment to family-friendly work practices.

Work and Family Makes Cents, produced by the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations, includes statistics which strengthen the argument for flexibility and provides a list of useful initiatives and examples of companies which are taking the lead.

"It has long been recognised that family-friendly work initiatives can improve morale, reduce absenteeism and staff turnover, and increase productivity," Mr Kierath said.

"That adds up to better performance and a stronger bottom line for companies.

"Given that about 60 per cent of all families with dependent children have both parents working, it stands to reason that workplaces which offer flexibility between work and family commitments will attract the best employees."

The Australian Institute of Family Studies estimates around 50 per cent of absenteeism from work is related to family issues.

Problems at home can also affect concentration, motivation and productivity at work.

The book suggests a range of initiatives such as permanent part-time work, job sharing, flexible working hours, working from home, time-off in lieu of overtime, unpaid family leave and various forms of employer-assisted child care.

Alcoa of Australia is one prominent company in Wester Australia which has taken a leading role in work and family policies.

Alcoa established a Work and Family Project Team which surveyed the company's 6,250 staff to find out their thoughts about the conflicts between work and family life. A shorter survey was completed by partners of employees.

An assessment of the resulting data revealed absenteeism, staff turnover and reduced productivity were clear problems.

A Work and Family Policy was developed under which initiatives were introduced, including family sick leave, job sharing, assistance with employee participation in community activities and a 'beeper' loan system for employees who are the partners of expectant mothers.

The options have been taken up by many staff members.

Copies of Work and Family Makes Cents can be ordered from Diana McLaren on 222 7905.

Organisations are also invited to apply for placement on the database.

Media contact: Steve Manchee 481 2133