Workplace pilot produces happier and more productive workers
Happy, productive workers with an improved work-life balance are promoting the benefits of flexible work practices following a month-long trial in Brisbane’s CBD. Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said a recent survey conducted with the participants of the workplace pilot had shown an overwhelmingly positive result.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Happy, productive workers with an improved work-life balance are promoting the benefits of flexible work practices following a month-long trial in Brisbane’s CBD.
Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said a recent survey conducted with the participants of the workplace pilot had shown an overwhelmingly positive result.
“Of the respondents, 87 per cent reported flexible work practices improved their work-life balance, with 69 per cent reporting their work productivity had improved while working flexibly,” Ms Nolan said.
“Most of the feedback during the pilot was very encouraging with many of the 888 participants from the 20 public and private organisations participating reporting how they saved hours of commuting time each week.
“There have been some great examples given of how people have used their extra time.
“Some people went shopping, while one participant managed to take their aged mother to specialist appointments, and another was able to attend their child’s school assembly for the first time.”
The pilot, conducted during June, encouraged participants to trial telecommuting, compressing the working week, or starting and finishing work earlier or later than their normal start and finish times – all in an effort to reduce travel during peak periods.
"While the Queensland Government is investing $17 billion in building transport infrastructure, we simply can't build our way out of congestion,” Ms Nolan said.
“Innovative congestion-reducing initiatives like flexible workplaces can make a huge difference to the peak travel demands, so we will continue to promote these to the community.
“Ninety-two per cent of participants in the last pilot indicated they would continue with flexible work arrangements for another three months after trial, which is a fantastic result.”
To better understand participants’ activities and experiences during the pilot program, each person was asked to fill out a pre-pilot and post-pilot survey.
According to this survey, starting and finishing work earlier was the most popular flexible workplace option.
“As a result of this successful pilot program, we will be encouraging flexible workplace practices in government and throughout the CBD business community,” Ms Nolan said.
“Our first look at this survey was very encouraging. We will be interviewing participants and reviewing the survey data in order to learn as much as we can.
“We will certainly be building on this success – expect to see a wider roll out of flexible workplaces soon.”
ENDS
Background:
The following companies took part in the flexible workplace pilot:
Private
KPMG Hyder Consulting GHD AECOM Transfield Services Currie & Brown ETM Search and Selection Sinclair Knight Merz ( SKM ) Queensland University of Technology Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland Mirvac
Government
Department of Transport and Main Roads Department of Public Works ( including CITEC and QBuild ) Department of Premier and Cabinet Public Service Commission Department of Justice and Attorney-General Queensland Treasury Department of Environment and Resource Management Department of Community Safety Brisbane City Council
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