Are we valuing part time employment?
For many of us balancing work and family is part of our daily ritual, however as a society we haven’t fully embraced the value that part time work affords us; either as an employer or more widely as a community. Currently 24.8% of working males work part time, whilst 54.3% of working females are working part time (ABS, May 2016).
As a society, part time work is still viewed by many as being predominately for primary carer’s, however research and experience demonstrates that part time employment has a much higher value. As detailed below part time employment can provide;
- Operational flexibility for employers
- Flexibility for the employee to balance financial and personal requirements
- Higher workplace productivity
- The time for enriched life experiences
- Reduced stress levels
- The ability to contribute to community through increased time to volunteer
- The option to care for family members
- The ability for older workers transition to retirement
With a tight labour market, economic pressures and an aging population facing employers, part time work needs to be actively pursued by employers as more and more individuals are seeking the ability to better balance their home / working lives and or transition their working hours.
So how can employers do this?
- Actively promoting the option to work part time regardless of family commitments or gender
- To offer part time employees the same career opportunities and competitive remuneration
- Having senior members of your organisation taking up part time work to drive the culture that part time work is valued
- Sharing the stories of individuals working part time in your organisation and what it means for their personal wellbeing
For further information on embedding part time work within your organisation please contact the team at Nurture HR Consulting www.nurturehrconsulting.com.au
