People Dynamics Newsletter - People Matters
Issue 55, September 2009 | Back to Newsletters Index
PD News—We have moved!
September this year is a big month for us. Not only do we turn 7 (happy birthday to us!), but we have moved!
We are now located at: Suite 5.08, 434 St Kilda Road, Melbourne 3004.
Ph & fax to be advised. Please update your records accordingly.
Work Life Balance
In Australia our national standard for maximum working hours is 38 hours per week, plus "reasonable additional hours". According to Fair Work Australia, for additional hours to be "reasonable" all relevant factors must be considered, such as: risk to the employee's health and safety; the employee's personal circumstances, including family responsibilities; the workplace's operational needs; the amount of notice given to the employee of the overtime requirement; and the employee's hours of work over the previous 4 weeks. The study found that 70% of employees perform unpaid overtime work after hours.
A Canadian study of 12,000 managers showed they worked in excess of 48 hours a week.1 The study's author, Professor Linda Duxbury of the Carleton University School of Business, pointed out that excess hours spent at work is not a predictor of productivity, but a “predictor of stupidity” as no one can work long hours indefinitely and employees can begin to burn out, become ill more often. This leads to increased stress levels, lower motivation and mistakes being made. Work-life conflict can affect absenteeism, turnover, engagement and morale.
So what are some of the ways organisations can encourage greater work-life balance? Options can include everything from an increase in the numbers of support staff, to implementing etiquette around the hours within which to expect emails to be answered. Organisations can offer flexible arrangements such as a 9 day fortnight (which can also be quite cost-effective in a downturn!), flexible hours, and options for working from home.
Flexible working arrangements for employees who are parents will also become a legal entitlement under the Fair Work Act legislation due to come into effect on January 1, 2010 so it is a good idea to have these policies in place.
Recently Julia Gillard launched the 2009-10 National Work-Life Balance Awards (formerly known as the National Work and Family Awards), in an effort to make Australian workplaces more flexible, family-friendly and productive. The Awards provide public recognition for businesses that have successfully integrated work-life balance whilst managing business demands. visit their website
The National Study on Balancing Work, Family and Lifestyle, January 2009Legal Update
The new remuneration and compensation limits for unfair dismissal cases have been set under the Fair Work Act 2009.
If an employee is not employed under award conditions and whose remuneration exceeds $108,300 per year, they are excluded from making an unfair dismissal application to Fair Work Australia.
The limit on compensation that can be awarded under the Act is $54,150.
A new application fee of $59.50 will also apply.