Working parents say new legislation is 'not enough'

In the wake of the new workplace Right to Request Flexibility legislation, recent study results have shown that work-life policies alone are not enough to improve working parents' quality of life.

Under the new legislation, employees have a right to request flexible working arrangements to assist them to care for their child. Research conducted by Parent Wellbeing and the University of Adelaide revealed that 55% of working parents surveyed were unaware of any work-life policies within their workplace.

"The key finding is that work-life policies alone are not enough to achieve a positive and effective workplace," said Jodie Benveniste, director of Parent Wellbeing. "The missing link is organisational culture, including comprehensive wellbeing programs."

The results showed that the top five work-life policies that respondents desired were flexible hours, work from home, part-time work, wellbeing programs and hourly leave.

"The work-life policy most desired by employees but least offered is wellbeing programs," said Benveniste. "An effective wellbeing program helps organisations improve their flexible work initiatives and assists working parents to optimise their work and family lives.

"Rather than focusing on achieving that elusive work-life balance, it's about teaching people how to be emotionally happy and live a good life overall."

The study also found that a positive work-life culture is strongly linked to employee job satisfaction, life satisfaction and, in turn, a more productive, profitable workplace.

"The bottom line is this: by offering a supportive work-life culture, including wellbeing programs, alongside the Government's work-life policies, organisations will attract and retain top talent, improve customer satisfaction and increase the bottom line," said Benveniste.

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