Flexible work options ease family stress

New research by the Families Commission shows many people put family first and only take on jobs that will fit in with their responsibilities at home. Many at-home parents also say they would take up a job if it gave them the flexibility their family needed.   

The study Give and Take – Families' perceptions and experiences of flexible work in New Zealand used focus groups, case studies and a survey of 1,000 people to get a family perspective on this very topical issue. The research was done at around the time Parliament passed the Employment Relations (Flexible Working Arrangements) Amendment Act 2007 – which gives employees the right to request flexible working arrangements if they are responsible for the care of someone.

Chief Commissioner of the Families Commission, Jan Pryor says the study showed the benefits for families were clear. 

“They told us that having some give and take in their working life reduced their stress levels and improved the quality of time with their family. Even so, many people said they didn’t have the flexibility they wanted and others felt they had had to trade off flexibility for less pay and lower status.”

More than three quarters of those surveyed had access to or used  flexible work arrangements, including being able to move their lunch break to meet their family commitments or take time off during school holidays. Four out of ten were also able to work from home.  

“However there was a lot of misunderstanding about just what makes up quality flexible work options. Some people thought that if they were given time off for bereavement leave or sick leave then they had flexible work – they were not aware it was a legal requirement. Others were not aware of how varied flexible work arrangements could be. Some thought that the only option was part time work and since this would mean a cut in pay they didn’t even consider it,” said Ms Pryor.

The culture of a workplace played a big part in whether or not staff asked for flexible work arrangements. In line with other research, families said negative attitudes of managers and colleagues were the main barrier to asking for changes to their working arrangements – even when they were theoretically available in the workplace.

“The research suggests that there are still significant barriers stopping people from taking up flexible work options.  There is a real need for us, and others, to raise awareness of the different types of flexible work arrangements and how they can be used to both employers’ and the employees’ advantage.”

The Commission’s research also addresses information gaps and will be used to help promote understanding of the issues for families. It fits well with the Department of Labour’s ongoing work to support quality flexible work arrangements.