Why work-life issues and flexibility are important

 Video clip: Equinox - being there for work and family (1.4Mb)

An important aspect of diversity and EEO practices is recognising that people lead rich and complex lives outside their working hours. By providing flexible work options and other work-life initiatives, employers can help build an engaged and productive workforce.

Such initiatives, if developed in a collaborative context, can also help employers retain valuable staff during tough economic times, avoiding redundancies and building commitment.

The Employment Relations (Flexible Working Arrangements) Amendment Act 2007 came into force in July 2008, giving employees with caring responsibilities a statutory right to request flexible work. The Act has changed the way some employees and employers make and respond to requests for flexible working arrangements.

Flexible working arrangements can include:

• Compressed working week - eg. 4 x 10 hour days
• Flexible leave provisions - including career break schemes, domestic leave, study leave etc
• Telecommuting/teleworking
• Flexible starting and finishing times
• The ability to leave work suddenly to deal with family emergencies
• The ability to take time off for appointments and make it up later
• Job-sharing - where two or more employees share a job
• Job-splitting - where one job is split into two or more part-time positions
• Part-time work - permanent part-time work is an ongoing contract of employment, which means employees accrue cumulative benefits such as annual leave and sick leave
• Phased retirement - a reduction of work hours or responsibilities
• Temping
• Casual work
• Term-time working - where a carer stops work during school holidays
• Time banking
• Virtual teams (e-teams)
  
• Find out more about the new legislation on flexible working on the Department of Labour's website.
  See our glossary for explanations of EEO terminology
  Our toolkit section includes guidelines on creating versatile workplaces with quality flexible work options
  Visit our online EEO Library catalogue for related articles and books

The EEO Trust Work & Life Awards

Since 1998, the EEO Trust has been honouring New Zealand workplaces that support workplace diversity and work-life balance at the prestigious annual EEO Trust Work & Life Awards. These awards, presented at a gala dinner in Auckland, celebrate and reward best practice in diversity management, and benchmark New Zealand workplaces on work-life initiatives.

EEO Trust work-life publications

The Way We Work and Live in 2008
Entrants in the EEO Trust Work & Life Awards 2008 are profiled in this publication which tells their stories, exploring how supporting diversity and work-life initiatives work for them. 
To purchase The Way We Work & Life in 2008

Versatile Workplace - Business Success
This publication focuses on the business benefits of EEO and effective diversity management, and offers suggestions on implementing EEO practices in workplaces.
Versatile Workplace Business Success (1.3Mb) pdf
If you would prefer a free printed copy, please email us

Diversity in Action
The EEO Trust's quarterly Diversity in Action magazine profiles news, research, case studies and events related to diversity and work-life issues. To view a list of previous issues

New Zealand case studies
PeoplePower chronicles success stories of diversity in the workplace.

Research
EEO Trust research asks employees what would help them manage their commitments at work and at home.

Other resources
The Department of Labour's work-life balance project has produced a range of resources on work-life issues including employee and employer surveys.
Go to their website

The State Services Commission has produced a comprehensive resource on work-life balance which includes the business case, initiatives and solutions to consider and practical guidelines. This resource is primarily for the State Services but includes useful information and advice for the private sector.
You can find out more by visiting their website