Workplace Flexibility

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (14:35): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for the Status of Women a question about workplace flexibility.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: Studies show that 73 per cent of Australian businesses believe that their company is more productive as a direct result of introducing more flexible working arrangements for their staff. Will the minister inform the chamber about what the government is doing to support workplace flexibility?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:35): I thank the honourable member for his most important question and ongoing interest in these important equity policy matters. This is a government that recognises that flexible workplaces create a more sustainable and productive workforce and that there is a need for flexibility in the workplace to accommodate the personal, social, community and cultural needs of employees.

The implementation of flexible working conditions into legislation first occurred in the Public Sector Act 2009. During the 2014 election campaign this government committed to public sector chief executives being made personally responsible for ensuring that flexible work options are available to staff who need them. As Minister for the Status of Women and a former minister for public sector management, I am proud to be working to promote work/life balance through flexible workplace agreements and arrangements.

Whilst I am a strong advocate for the rights of women, obviously as Minister for the Status of Women it is important that flexible workplace options are not seen as being just for women. Men, too, are able to avail themselves of these provisions, and I know that many men have very much enjoyed the opportunity to be more closely engaged with those early caring years with their families, and flexible workplace arrangements allow them to do that.

They should be encouraged to utilise these arrangements as well for their own benefit, as I have outlined, but also to enable them to share in caring responsibilities and to enable their partners to have the benefit of greater workplace participation. Flexible workplace arrangements offer public sector chief executives and managers a wonderful opportunity to help attract and retain valuable and productive staff, particularly women. I understand that the retention rates significantly improve when workplace provisions are in place that meet workers' needs.

Flexible Workplace Futures is a change project that has been completed by the Office for Public Sector Renewal. This aims to increase the uptake of flexible working arrangements by public sector employees as a means of creating a more sustainable workforce. This project will help the state to prepare for an ageing population, enabling people to work longer and address the changing workforce and sector requirements.

The great thing about this project is that it focuses on having a real and positive impact on public sector workplaces, as flexible working arrangements are an attractive proposition for both staff and the government. The project includes using online resources, such as education, training and tools for managers and supervisors, which teach them about best practices for implementing and overseeing flexible working arrangements. The tools include an e-request form and a specifically designed app that helps to manage flexible working arrangements within a team.

In the past, flexible workplace arrangements were often viewed negatively by managers and fellow employees. However, we now know that flexible work has been directly linked to reduced absenteeism, reduced staff turnover and increased motivation and productivity within a team. Flexible Workplace Futures enables agencies within the Public Service to position themselves to attract and retain talent and create a more flexible, diverse and inclusive South Australian public sector workforce.

Embracing flexible workplace arrangements is a win-win for both the government and the general public. The public will benefit from both improved business performance and customer service, and employees will benefit from the ability to achieve a better balance between work and personal commitments. I am proud to belong to a government that is committed to initiatives which create the best possible results for its employees and the public, and I look forward to being able to update the chamber on the progress of the Flexible Workplace Futures project in the future.