Focus shifts to work-life balance
Jobseekers are looking for more than money
Workplace wellbeing and flexible work-life balance is starting to take precedent over higher paychecks as jobseekers’ priorities shift, Bay of Plenty recruiters say.
Good workplace culture was “more than just fruit in the staffroom” and a tight job market meant employers were having to “pull out all the stops” to attract quality candidates.
Candidates were also questioning the reputation of potential employers and seeking flexibility and work from home options.
This comes as a new business study shows 59 per cent of Bay businesses surveyed reported workplace culture was positively impacted by remote working. The study also revealed nearly half of Bay businesses have made a habit of enjoying a work-life balance post-lockdown.
Ryan+alexander co-director Bernadette Ryan-hopkins said jobseekers were asking more upfront questions about an employer’s attitude towards workplace wellbeing and flexibility.
“We had seen a tilt towards a greater focus on wellbeing in the past decade pre-covid but it is more top of mind now that people have, in some instances, had a taste of a more balanced lifestyle during lockdown.
“It’s more than just fruit in the staffroom now — employers are looking at gym memberships, extra leave, flexi-time and can also include initiatives to give back.”
Ryan-hopkins said the best shift post-covid was the belief that employees need to be seen in the office to be productive.
“Companies that were slow to pick up the remote working lifestyle are
now embracing it — and that is beneficial for all.
“I think employers have realised that flexi-time and working from home are now expected as par for the course rather than a nice to have.”
Ryan-hopkins said money was now only a “very small part” of what
attracted and retained employees.
“Culture, flexibility, a great boss, a supportive team and a company that promotes work-life balance are becoming more and more important to candidates. So if a company doesn’t put a focus on these things, they may miss out, or worse, lose their great
staff to an organisation where these things are important.”
The Staffroom Ltd director Jill Cachemaille said candidates were placing more emphasis on workplace wellbeing when considering a new employer.
“I think
jobseekers
are
actively
seeking feedback on employers’ reputations in the market as to how current and past staff are treated and listened to.”
Employees were seeking options such as company-paid vaccines and
immunisations, subsidised gym memberships, stress management and access to nutritionists, she said.
Cachemaille said employers were starting to understand the importance of wellbeing too.
“I don’t think it’s at an all-time high but it is on their agenda and they are mindful that it is something new they need to consider.
“The challenge is finding the balance of introducing wellness programmes/options for employees without it taking over.”
In a “candidate-tight” job market, Cachemaille said employers needed to pull out all the stops to attract highcalibre candidates.
“Being able to advertise a company as an employer who cares about wellness will be a valuable message that might give them the edge over another employer.”
Qjumpers recruitment software and services company consultants Annette Weatherall and Kathryn
Stewart said workplace wellbeing was “crucial” to businesses now and face-to-face meetings were being appreciated more than before.
“They know that it has been a stressful last 12 months for their employees, with the uncertainty mixed in with stress from having to work alongside other family members at home, or the opposite — loneliness from working at home.”
Businesses were trying to encourage a mix of working from home and in the office, Weatherall said.
“They are offering employees the choice — as long as they come into the office for important meetings when required.
“This choice is very important to employees and is definitely a must
to include when advertising any job.”
Stewart said businesses had also ramped up their technology for staff to work remotely, including wellbeing-focused tools such as internal communication, collaboration and engagement.
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