Australia Urges Water Investments

Working to Live or Living to Work?

According to the Chinese calendar, the New Year is the Year of the Dog.
Dogs represent justice and equality. Dogs are the givers, prepared to sacrifice their own dreams, ambitions and desires for the sake of others. But does this mean you have to work like one?

Increased competition in Australian business means that every year is getting busier. In promoting globalization, micro-economic reform, increased efficiency and better investment returns, the Australian work environment has become even more challenging.

The Department of Industrial Relations reports that about 20% of Australians work more than 50 hours a week. According to the International Labour Organization Australia is one of only four nations in the world where working hours are increasing.

The 2006 forecast for business is promising to be another intense year. Corporate restructures new markets, performance targets to reach and keeping investors happy.
After 15 years of economic growth, Australians are richer than ever – but at what cost?

A Slippery Slope

Working like a dog does not leave much time outside work for health, family and personal development. Nowadays the average working person has many things on the go besides work; children, night school, extra curricular activities, maintaining a household and a few moments for leisure when you’re not too beat.

Many single parents face an even bigger challenge as they are doing the work of two people or shuttling the kids between two homes. Given the increasing pressure, achieving balance is not easy. Does one work less and have less income but more time, or sacrifice time and have more money but no time to enjoy it? More and more people are looking for a way out of the loop.

The Work and Family Unit was created by Australian Government to help Australians sort out how they can balance their lives. This agency provides workable solutions for the working person – which shows that the government is realizing the importance of balance. A balanced person is a happier and more productive and loyal employee. Imbalance leads to illness, stress leave and poor performance.

The conundrum of the working person can be solved in one word: flexibility.

Employers are encouraged to make flexible working arrangements more available. People may work flexible start and finish times or compressed work weeks where one works 40 hours over four days instead of five. Job sharing means that two people share one full time job, each working 20 hours a week. Flexible working hours are a bonus for women with children, single parents (especially single fathers) or those who are looking for a way out of the 9 to 5 routine. Flexible hours also benefit those that are able to work quickly and without supervision- many companies are encouraging working at home, which is becoming more and more common since the advent of the PC and the internet. Flexible leave policies enable women to take maternity leave and still return to their job, or leave without pay, bereavement leave, and time off instead of overtime.

The Work and Family Unit recognizes that there is a direct link to social and economic balance when employees have a choice in how they are going to work.

In the year of the dog, focus on equilibrium will ensure that employees are loyal and hard working. If you are an employee ask yourself how you plan to balance your life and work this year. If you are an employer ask yourself if you are offering flexibility to your employees. Remember: the dog will reward you with a lifetime of dedication and hard work, just don’t make it walk a tightrope while juggling!

To read more about flexible work solutions in Australia go to:

www.wagenet.gov.au

http://www.ir.qld.gov.au/work&family/

© Copyright 2005. Galt Western Personnel Ltd. Unless otherwise specified, you may reprint this article, quote from it, use it in research or projects, duplicate it or distribute it. Credit of authorship and source MUST be given to galtglobalreview.com. Ownership of Copyright remains with Galt Western Personnel Ltd.

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