Balancing work and life

By JULIE MIDDLETON

Smaller businesses often have excellent work and life balance policies, but often don't recognise them because they don't carry a label.

So says Equal Employment Opportunities Trust executive director Trudie McNaughton, who hopes to see more entries from small and medium-sized business - those with up to 50 staff - in this year's EEO Trust Work and Life Awards.

No smaller organisations entered last year, and McNaughton thinks they may mistakenly feel they have nothing to offer.

"In smaller workplaces there is often a lot of good practice around flexibility, and policies and practices which meet people's work/life balance," she says.

Elizabeth Smith, the trust's communications manager, adds: "In the past we've found that even those organisations which do enter the awards overlook some really exciting work/life initiatives in their workplaces because they take them for granted.

"For example, encouraging staff to take time off during the day to attend their children's sports events and then making up the time at night."

The awards now have more categories: large organisations (more than 50 staff); First Steps Award, for organisations in the early stages of work/life balance practices which are first-time entrants; the Manaaki Tangata Innovation Award, for organisations that have implemented a unique work/life policy; and Walk the Talk, for nominated senior managers who model work/life balance.

More entries for the last category are also sought, says McNaughton.

"People are often quite shy about putting entries in.

"Often they don't realise how well they're doing.

"Traditionally, we have made heroes of workplace leaders who do not have work/life balance.

"Times have changed and people recognise that work/life balance suffers because of ongoing long hours and workaholic behaviour.

The awards, now in their fifth year, ask entrant companies to describe their work/life initiatives, why and how they were developed, evidence of commitment from the top, how the plans meet staff needs, and what lessons the experience has offered.

Entrants are measured against each other and ranked.

Criteria are clear, says McNaughton, and inside information doesn't hold any sway.

The five judges may also make site visits.

* Entries close May 30; awards will be presented in Auckland on August 22. Contact the EEO Trust for more information: (09) 525-3023 or the EEO Trust website. Email admin@eeotrust.org.nz.