Workplace flexibility is a concept that those on both sides of the employment divide generally agree with. Where they differ, according to a Department of Labour report, is on whether it should be legislated.
The results of the DoL’s discussion paper ‘Quality Flexible Work: increasing availability and take up in New Zealand’ are now online. Of the 777 responses, 90% supported increasing the provision for flexible working hours.
However it's on how this can be achieved that opinion is divided between employees and employers. Respondents were asked to comment on five approaches to implementing flexible working hours. These ranged from providing information (Approach A), to legislating its enforcement (Approach C). The latter option received the following response:
“Individuals, unions and community groups/nongovernment agencies support Approach C much more markedly than employers and business representative organisations/industry groups… Of those that support Approach C, the majority want it to apply to all employees, not just parents and other carers.”
A Coalition of Quality Flexible Work was formed in November last year to advocate for change in this area. A number parenting and women’s organisations are represented in the coalition, making it of particular interest to contact centres that employ large numbers of women returning to work after having children.
The feedback from the discussion paper will form part of the Department of Labour’s report to Parliament’s Transport and Industrial Relations Committee next month. The select committee is considering legislation in which it would be mandatory to provide flexible hours to employees with dependent children under five years old and/or disabled children under 18 years old.