Employees turn to flexible working to boost employee performance

Randstad’s 2010 World of Work Report has found that the need to improve employee productivity and performance remains a major challenge in the minds of employers for 2010.

Budget constraints and cautious finance departments, are driving management to look at ways to increase productivity and performance of those already employed by the organisation rather than increasing headcount.

The Report, based on a survey of more than 3,000 HR professionals, business managers and CEOs across the Asia pacific region, found that the top motivators for employees to perform well were:

• Having a strong understanding of their role in achieving organisational goals (25% cite this as their 1st motivator to perform well, with 18% citing it as their 2nd motivator)
• Good relationship with immediate manager (17% cite this as their 2nd motivator, 3rd motivator for 20% of respondents)
• A competitive remuneration package (3rd motivator for 21% of respondents).

This would indicate that improving staff retention and performance should no longer be solely centred on increasing the employee’s pay packet, but more about creating a work/life balance.

As a result, many organisations are now turning to flexible working and other creative and tangible benefits to foster employee retention and boost overall employee performance. These include:

• Paid Parental Leave
• Additional Annual Leave
• 4.5 day working weeks
• Salary sacrificing
• Paid Study Leave

Similarly, “Managing Tomorrow’s People”, a new study by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in the UK, has revealed that flexible working is the most prized benefit for employees, ahead of performance-related bonuses. Of the 1,167 professionals surveyed, 47% rated ‘flexible working arrangements’ as their most important benefit, compared with 19% who opted for bonuses.

To facilitate flexible working practices, Mitrefinch’s automated Time and Attendance System, TMS, can be customised to match an organisation’s specific working patterns and legislation, supporting flexi-time and shift work across multiple sites and pay centres, while seamlessly integrating with other business, HR and Payroll systems.

For more information contact Mitrefinch Australia on sales@mitrefinch.com.au or 1300 884 831