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 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 postlockdown.
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
Welcome back to Money.
We all know a lot has changed in the business world since the dreaded Covid-19 lockdown. Businesses have had to learn to adapt to what many are calling a “new normal”. One of these shifts is an attention towards wellbeing in the workplace and flexible work-life balance. Bay recruiters say those workplace attributes were taking higher precedent over pay cheques as job seekers’ priorities shift and good workplace culture was becoming more than just fruit in the staffroom.
In our lead stories today we talk to recruiters in the region who say employers were having to pull out all the stops to attract high quality workers. We also talk to local businesses about what types of flexible working arrangements they’ve adopted post-lockdown and a mother-of-two who has become the first person at a local law firm to be appointed a partner while continuing to working part-time.
Our weekly columnist is back with one of the hottest topics in financial markets — sustainable investment.
Plus, we bring you our latest business digest celebrating milestones, awards, achievements and innovative ideas in the Bay.
Happy reading.
— Zoe Hunter