Using the F Word at Work – Flexibility in the Workplace

1. Using the F Word at Work – Flexibility in the Workplace Monday 16 March 2009 Hyatt Regency Adelaide Ballroom Presentationby Warren McCann Commissioner for Public Employment Office for Ethical Standards and Professional Integrity

2. Using the F Word at Work – Flexibility in the Workplace • Presentation Outline • relevant research • broaden the concept of flexible working arrangements • how to make it work • take away messages Presentation by Warren McCann Commissioner for Public Employment

3. Using the F Word at Work – Flexibility in the Workplace • Fact • Some of the most generous provisions available for balancing work life responsibilities are to be found in the South Australian Public Sector Presentation by Warren McCann Commissioner for Public Employment

4. Flexitime Purchased Leave Compressed Weeks Part-time Job share Working from Home Total instances of FWA use Total Employees 14,091 150 124 816 259 15,440 26% 0.3% 0.2% 2% 0.5% 27% Using the F Word at Work – Flexibility in the Workplace Table 1 - Use of Flexible Working Arrangements by administration units as at June 2007 Employees Presentation by Warren McCann Commissioner for Public Employment

5. Using the F Word at Work – Flexibility in the Workplace Flexitime Purchased Leave Compressed Weeks Part-time Job Share Working from Home Total Instances of FWA use Total Executives 180 1 0 6 10 197 22% 0.1% 0% 1% 1% 21% Table 2 - Use of Flexible Working Arrangements by administration units as at June 2007 South Australian Executive Service Presentation by Warren McCann Commissioner for Public Employment

6. Using the F Word at Work – Flexibility in the Workplace • Figure 1 - Gender Balance in the Public Service • Entry Level Below SES Presentation by Warren McCann Commissioner for Public Employment

7. Using the F Word at Work – Flexibility in the Workplace Table 3 – Different factors women consider when job seeking Presentation by Warren McCann Commissioner for Public Employment

8. Using the F Word at Work – Flexibility in the Workplace Key findings from the research: • flexibility highly valued • limited uptake Presentation by Warren McCann Commissioner for Public Employment

9. Using the F Word at Work – Flexibility in the Workplace Broaden the concept of flexibility to: • recognise different demographic groups • move beyond the ‘work-family’ model • recognise that some people like work Presentation by Warren McCann Commissioner for Public Employment

10. Using the F Word at Work – Flexibility in the Workplace How to make flexibility work • long hours not the answer • changing the culture • convince employers of its value Presentation by Warren McCann Commissioner for Public Employment

11. Using the F Word at Work – Flexibility in the Workplace Take away messages • generally people enjoy work • recognise individual needs • foster a culture to embrace these differences • commitment to goals rather that time serving • flexibility is of greatest benefit to women • convince employers of benefits Presentation by Warren McCann Commissioner for Public Employment