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Small business
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Technology Company - QLD - 10 employees
Flexible work arrangements have been the mainstay of this company’s survival, recruiting innovative, flexible and adaptable staff who fit the culture. The company recognises that it is not only working mothers who need flexibility, and the same opportunities are available to all.
"At ThoughtWare this (flexibility) has been translated to implicit trust that employees are committed to their work, and would deliver desired outcomes - therefore clock watching is not required. Instead a clear understanding of what the job entails is required, and employees accept the responsibility for managing their working hours." (company website)
Manufacturing - NSW - 20 employees
This company (Benbro Electronics) won the National Work and Family Small Business Award in 2007 for its flexibility initiatives which include flexible hours, part-time work, generous leave entitlements and paid maternity leave. Benbro reports excellent staff loyalty and retention, impressive workplace safety, high productivity and increased revenues.
"Businesses are made up of people. Caring about our people helps them to be happy, contented and more productive. At Benbro we encourage our people to achieve a healthy balance between work and family" (MD, Benbro)
Home renovations - US - 22 employees
To manage situations where flexibility is needed by a staff member, this company implemented a job swap programme. Every month field staff and office personnel are paired up, allowing everyone to gain an understanding of each other’s roles. As well as important cross-training, it also enables people to fill in for one another when there is an unplanned absence or work flexibly with others who are using flexible work arrangements. The company has an excellent tenure record and employees report that "In a sense, everyone is a manager here".
Professional services consultancy - NSW - 8 employees
This company offers part-time, work during school hours and work from home as a readily available opportunity for all staff. Employees are trusted to complete work when and how they can, being "present" at their desks is not a pre-requisite for success. The business owners also access flexibility when they need to, and have established a culture of flexible and adaptable thinking and working. "Our approach to every project is flexible and we can provide clients with multiple contact points of expertise." (company website)
What are the benefits for the business?
- Increased productivity
- Loyalty and increased tenure
- A flexible, adaptable staff.
What are the benefits for employees?
- Trust and empowerment to make decisions and work autonomously
- Support
- Access to flexibility
In these companies, staff and management report enormous benefits of flexibility. By offering flexibility they can access a wider pool of potential staff, who are willing to "give and take" with their employers to make sure work gets done. Staff are loyal and productive, flexible and adaptable and the small business owners reap the rewards.