Have Your Say on Work-Life Balance

The Government's work-life balance project has begun public consultation. The aim is to gather the ideas and views of as many NZers as possible about work-life balance. The project looks at the pressures faced by businesses as well as by individuals. This is because businesses need to attract and retain the best people, and it is believed that quality of life is a point of international difference the nation cannot afford to overlook.

The project will look at what people have to say, and work will be done with key organisations towards developing some practical ways to ease pressure while boosting productivity. These solutions cannot be pre-judged - already it is clear the issues are broad and a one-size-fits-all approach is not realistic.

Over the last six months a steering group led by the Department of Labour has been talking to different groups around the country and has set up a website at http://www.dol.govt.nz/worklife/. The group's case studies indicate that some of the benefits of work-life balance policies are improved recruitment and retention rates with the associated cost savings, reduced absenteeism and sick leave usage, and improved productivity.

Employers see work-life balance initiatives as a way of retaining and attracting quality staff, particularly in the current labour market. However, they often do not have the time, resources or expertise to put them in place. Employees say the demands of their jobs can contribute to work-life imbalances, but there are many other factors outside the workplace that come into play. Unsurprisingly, childcare is a major issue. Less talked about are the concerns NZers have about caring for ageing parents.

Paid Parental Leave Extended

From December people who qualify for parental leave will be able to take 13 weeks leave, and by the end of next year they will be able to take 14 weeks leave. The length of time a person has to work for a firm before qualifying for paid parental leave will be halved to six months. The Government will undertake further work on the feasibility of extending the scheme to self employed mothers.

It is estimated that around 26,000 employed women have babies each year. Latest figures now confirm that 19,000 parents accessed paid parental leave in its first year. A further 3,400 women are expected to benefit from the extensions to the scheme. The combined cost of the new proposals for a full year is $17.3 million. This adds to the current annual expenditure for the scheme of $51 million.

The project is seeking the views and ideas of a wide audience, including small business people trying to juggle their time with just a few staff, people in rural areas, where home is often their workplace, the experience of older workers, and young people just starting their working lives.

To get the public consultation off the ground, 5000 discussion packs containing 12 information sheets targeted at different audiences have been distributed. The packs contain response forms for organisations and individuals to register their ideas. The discussion packs will be available through Citizens Advice Bureaux and on the project website at http://www.dol.govt.nz/worklife/. Individuals can have their say online or by writing in to the project.

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