The economic benefits of flexible work arrangements which take into account family responsibilities have been recognised by the State Government with a new grant to promote 'family friendly' initiatives.
Productivity and Labour Relations Minister Yvonne Henderson today announced work and family grants of up to $5,000.
"An increasing number of families have both parents working and the pressures of home and work life can be difficult to balance," Mrs Henderson said.
"Increasing flexibility between employees' work and family lives can improve morale and efficiency, reduce absenteeism, boost productivity and enhance profits."
She said the work and family grants scheme had been established in the Government's Social Advantage Package to help employers implement new strategies.
Private companies, employees, local government councils, unions and community groups could apply.
"Eligible initiatives could include career break programmes, permanent part-time work, parental leave and flexi-time arrangements," Mrs Henderson said.
"A recent commendable example was the R&I Bank's enterprise agreement which created a more family friendly environment for staff.
"At the R&I, the introduction of a 152 hour four-weekly work cycle allowed individual workers their preference of hours, enabling them to more easily balance work and home duties."
Applications for grants should be made to the work and family unit at the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations by March 26, 1993.
