Pressure mounts for flexible working

The right to have flexible working hours should be available to all men and women who want to find a balance between work and family interests and not just a limited number, says Equal Employment Opportunities commissioner, Dr Judy McGregor.

Dr McGregor says that the proposed legislation which gives parents the right to ask for a change of work hours is too narrowly focused.

"Currently only parents of children under five years old and parents of disabled children under 18 are covered by the Bill.

"But what about the parents of primary school-age children or dependent adult disabled children, or workers who care for their elderly parents? Their need for flexible arrangements can be just as great," she says.

Dr McGregor was presenting the Human Rights Commission submission on the Employment Relations (Flexible Working Hours) Amendment Bill to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee.

The Human Rights Commission supports a comprehensive and integrated approach to flexible working arrangements for employees. She says any statutory framework should take into account all dependent children and all members of the immediate family.

Dr McGregor acknowledged that the Bill raised a number of issues for employers, especially small business operators who had raised concerns about regulation and the potential cost of compliance.

New research conducted by Massey University, however, shows that a shortage of skilled labour is inhibiting small business growth in New Zealand and that some small business operators are starting to see flexible work hours as an important tool to retain staff.

"Re-organising the work culture to suit is not just an issue for big business," says Dr McGregor.

"Small business is a significant part of New Zealand's economy and we need to make sure their views are heard and built into long-term solutions.

"The business benefits of flexible working hours are clear: decreased staff turnover, retention of skills, reduced absenteeism and increased job satisfaction. This adds up to a bottom line of improved workplace productivity, safety and increased morale."

Dr McGregor says there is a need to research the potential negative career consequences for those who choose to work part time or flexible hours, particularly women, as well as develop workplace strategies that better recognise men with family caring responsibilities.