Employer offers school holiday terms
Global infrastructure firm Aecom is offering parents 12 weeks’ leave a year, so they can spend school holidays with their kids.
The company is recruiting engineers and scientists for the term-time-only roles.
Aecom’s Australia and New Zealand chief executive, Todd Battley, said a significant number of skilled workers had left the industry because they could not strike a work-life balance.
‘‘That no longer has to be the case,’’ he said.
He said the initiative was believed to be an industry first.
‘‘We will be able to target an extensive network of parents and guardians who are seeking flexibility to manage childcare responsibilities.’’
The roles have been advertised through FlexCareers.
There will be 20 term-time positions advertised across Australia and New Zealand. The offer will also be made available to up to 10 existing employees.
But there is a catch – workers’ salary will be reduced to 83 per cent of their normal full-time pay.
FlexCareers’ chief executive, Natalie Goldman, welcomed the move.
‘‘We are delighted to partner with Aecom on this innovative programme. FlexCareers has more than 70,000 talented women in our network, many of whom have previously been unable to secure roles commensurate with their skills and experience, due to a lack of workplace flexibility.’’
Jeremy Wade, head of Trade Me Jobs, said flexibility had become very important to a ‘‘big portion’’ of the workforce.
‘‘For many employers it’s gone beyond an employment obligation to an employment necessity. The shortage of skilled talent in many sectors is well documented. This initiative is another positive example of employers thinking outside the square to find critical talent for their businesses.’’
He said Trade Me had seen an increasing number of businesses offering workplace flexibility over the past few years.
‘‘Many employers now recognise that encouraging a work and family life balance leads to a better office culture as well as much happier and more loyal staff.
‘‘Fitting around the school timetable is one of many modern parenting dilemmas and we know that school holidays are a tough time for working parents.
‘‘We haven’t seen any term-time contracts pop up although that is not to say we won’t see them in the near future and there could well be many informal school holiday arrangements operating at workplaces around the country right now but we haven’t seen it used as a recruitment tool.
‘‘We think term-time contracts are a great idea and if employers can make it work, that is a very good result for job hunters.’’
E Tu¯ national secretary Bill Newson said it was mostly higherpaid workers who would benefit.
‘‘The higher you’re paid, the more able you are to take advantage of this option. On lower pay it’s more difficult because to meet your family obligations you need to be earning the money.’’