WORK-POOCH BALANCE
EMPLOYERS are introducing their most flexible working policies yet to woo workers.
In addition to reduced hours and more leave, some employers are putting “pawternity leave” and “work from anywhere” policies on the table, much to the delight of time-poor office workers.
One company hoping to fight staff shortages in the wake of the Great Resignation – the post-lockdown trend to changing jobs – is Melbourne property developer ICD.
Sharon Sha has been an accountant with ICD for three years and says the company’s nine-day fortnight and flexible working-fromhome arrangement boosted her productivity and mental health, and gave her the time to welcome a new puppy to her family.
The 28-year-old said that by offering more flexible working options, companies were proving they cared about their workers’ wellbeing. She said this was becoming nonnegotiable for other young professionals.
“I’m so used to this working style that it’s something that I would put at the top of my list if I was applying for jobs,” Ms Sha said.
To the delight of her dogs, Ms Sha has more time and energy to walk and socialise.
“Before the pandemic, I spent most of my day in the office and by the time I got home I was down for the night. Now I’ve got a better work-life balance,” she said.
Ms Sha has been unable to see her parents in China for two years due to the pandemic, but courtesy of the company’s “work from anywhere” policy she plans to visit them and work remotely for several months.
ICD managing director Matt Khoo said the past two years had been “a serious wake-up call for everyone to assess what they value”.
“People are realising they want to … have a better work-life balance, and I believe all businesses in the coming years need to adapt to these changing needs,” he said.