KEY POINTS:
New Zealand workers seem set to be able to negotiate greater flexibility in their work hours and conditions with their employers.
The Government yesterday released a discussion paper on flexible work in which Labour Minister Ruth Dyson says there is "no debate at all" about the need for quality flexible work in New Zealand.
Meanwhile, a coalition of business, union and women's groups is being launched in Parliament to back Green MP Sue Kedgley's private member's bill aimed at introducing legislation on flexible working hours.
The coalition and the discussion paper are the result of a consultation period the Transport and Industrial Relations select committee asked for last year after considering Ms Kedgley's bill.
The bill originally proposed allowing employees with children aged under 5 or disabled children aged under 18 the right to request more flexible working hours, but the committee asked the Department of Labour to carry out further study on the issue.
The resulting discussion paper explores allowing all employees the right to ask for flexible hours, an amplification of Ms Kedgley's proposal.
The MP has herself since moved in that direction and yesterday said the Coalition for Quality Flexible Work would campaign for everyone to be able to benefit from less rigid work hours.
"I think this broad-based coalition is testimony to the strong support in the community for more flexible working hours."
Coalition members include the Parents Centre, the Council of Trade Unions, the Federation of Business and Professional Women, the Wellington Women Lawyers Association and the YWCA.
Parents Centre chief executive Viv Gurrey said there had been a rapid rise in the number of New Zealand families where both parents worked. It would be worthwhile for businesses to provide flexible work conditions so those people were able to stay in the workforce.
"My message to employers is don't be afraid of adopting flexible working strategies. Embrace them. It may well be an opportunity for a point of difference ... Talented and skilled people will trade remuneration for flexibility in the work force.
"When we leave our working environment ... we come home to a full-time job, the most important job any of us will ever actually do, parenting, for our children and for society. We need to affirm and validate parenting as employers."
Ruth Dyson said the Government's moves towards improving flexible work hours were not promoted by Ms Kedgley's bill, but were about finding a solution which found favour with workers and employers.
"It's not just about work-life balance being good for employees, it's about quality flexible work being good for employers because if they have the best workplace they will be able to attract and retain staff. That is the biggest challenge for New Zealand employers."
Ms Kedgley's bill is likely to be considered by Parliament early next year.
Job lot
* Department of Labour research has found that flexible work arrangements improve retention and recruitment rates, reduce sick leave and stress, help life productivity and lead to greater loyalty.
* The research said 19 per cent of New Zealanders worked more than 50 hours a week, 40 per cent had variable work hours, 18 per cent did shift work and about a quarter worked some hours at night.
