Are you on holidays? Are your employees on leave?

In Australia, January is usually regarded as peak holiday season with many taking full advantage of the summer sun, school holidays, and enjoying an extended break from work. 

However many employers and employees can be unsure of their annual leave rights and obligations.  

Annual leave entitlements form part of the National Employment Standards (NES) with all employees (except casual employees) paid annual leave based on their ordinary hours of work. 

Fair Work advise that an employee’s entitlement to annual leave under the NES accrues progressively during a year of service according to their ordinary hours of work and accumulates from year to year. 

On termination of employment an employer must pay an employee for any untaken annual leave which has accrued. Leave continues to accumulate while employees are taking paid annual leave and paid personal leave. 

For more details on the NES and Annual Leave Rights and Obligations visit Fair Work online.

A time and attendance software system can easily manage and track absence and leave. Web-based self-service functionality also enables employees to check their own attendance information such as flexi-time balances and entitlements, absence history and planned leave etc…without having to consult HR 

An automated time and attendance management system can help you effectively manage leave and the holiday planning processes by: 

• Keeping a central repository of all employee leave records, keeping track of all leave types such as Holiday or Personal leave 
• Calculating leave eligibility based on an employee’s hours worked and hire date 
• Creating work schedules that take in account employees on leave, thus ensuring you have sufficient cover to meet customer or project demands and deadlines 
• Generating real time absence management and holiday planning reports 

In addition, Employee Self Service functionality empowers your staff to check their own leave records and entitlements, and request/book leave online without having to converse with their supervisor or HR. 

Want to find out more? If you would like find out more about effective Leave Management and Holiday Planning contact Mitrefinch today on 1300 884 831 (+61 2 8762 7888) or email sales@mitrefinch.com.au

Australian Businesses failing to fully embrace flexible and mobile working practices

While the economic advantages of having flexible work options are widely recognised, new research has found that 85% of companies do not have an organisation-wide work from home policy, reports HC Online. 

84% of companies either never let employees work from home at all or do so only on an individual basis (67%)

The research study by recruiters Robert Half found that despite the obvious benefits of work-from-home initiatives, such as boosting staff morale and productivity, as well as reducing employee turnover, the majority of Australian companies are still not embracing a remote workforce.

The main roadblocks citied were trust, security of information and access to technology. 

Key statistics from the report included: 
• 85% of HR directors* agreed that non-financial benefits, including flexible time, have a positive impact on staff retention 
• 83% of HR leaders said that they find it more challenging to manage remote workers compared to workers on site and only 58% said that remote working policies were in place • One in three (30%) of HR decision-makers said they are actively planning to implement a flexible work scheme to improve staff engagement in the next twelve months 
• 84% of companies either never let employees work from home at all, or do so only on an individual basis (67%) 

Andrew Morris, director of Robert Half acknowledges that, companies are right to have a certain healthy paranoia about remote working, but that paranoia is best addressed through good technology and tight internal policies. 

“Flexible time and remote work can be powerful motivators and may result in significant morale, retention and productivity improvements. But a flexible work policy needs careful implementation and close supervision to be effective,” he added. 

Writing for the Huffington Post, Claire Morley-Jones, managing director at HR180 ltd, advises that helping employees achieve a good work life balance is a sensible workforce management strategy, bringing benefits for both businesses and staff. 

She added, offering flexible working opportunities is an essential part of creating a good work life balance and helps staff fit work around their personal commitments, such as looking after their children. 

"Flexible working should be a culture and something that is available to all, whether they want to use it to undertake further study, pursue a hobby or spend time with their families at sports days etc." 

Investing in staff scheduling and mobile workforce management software can make it easier for firms to implement flexible working practices, allowing them to keep track of employees' working hours whether they are in the office or working remotely. 

For more information on mobile workforce management technologies visit Mitrefinch online 

*201 HR directors across a broad range of industries in Australia were surveyed 

Source: HC Online

Mobile Working and the Anywhere Employee

A new survey has revealed that Australians are more reliant on their mobile devices than ever before, using them to get more work done out of normal office hours. However, experts have warned this addiction is coming at a price, impacting on personal relationships and health. 

The Good Technology study found: 

• 88% of respondents admit to working outside of regular hours on their mobile device
• 39% said they need to use their mobile device outside of regular hours to keep on top of their workload, while only 4% said it was to impress their boss
• 20% admit to taking work calls or answering emails on a family day out  

Commenting on the results Jim Watson, vice president and corporate general manager at Good Technology APAC, said: “We are truly living in the connected age as mobile devices like phones and tablets become indispensible tools to manage our professional and personal lives.”

“As our reliance on mobility continues to grow, there will be an increased need for companies and individuals to manage this more effectively. For example, ensuring that sensitive company information is kept secure, while still giving employees the freedom to use their mobile devices the way they want to be productive and connected in both their professional and personal lives.”

This correlates with another recent study by Siemens who believe that this trend has help create the 'anywhere employee' - who can use modern technology to work from multiple locations - replacing the traditional office-based worker. 

In the past, staff would have had difficulty managing different platforms - such as email, mobile, landline and social media - outside of the office, whereas modern flexible and collaborative tools, as well as cloud computing technology now mean this can be done seamlessly and irrespective of location. 

However, Watson stresses that, “it is important for workers to feel in control and not let their mobile rule them. The technology exists to enhance productivity and enable greater flexibility between work and personal life - not cause us to work all the time. Mobility has ‘unchained us’ from the office so that we can all be productive and connect from anywhere, anytime—whether that’s at home, in the office, while waiting for your coffee at the shop or taking in a child’s cricket game. The idea is to be able to enjoy more of life by being mobile.” 

To maintain a healthy balance, employers should regularly check with staff about their workload and whether they’re workingfrom home, as well as advising them on healthy use of mobile devices.

A web-based time and attendance system can assist employers in effectively managing and tracking their mobile or remote workforce.

A web-based time and attendance system also facilitates real-time project tracking, providing accurate analysis of employee activity anytime, anywhere – increasing efficiency and ensuring that labour-related costs are genuine.

With an online time and attendance system, staff can remotely clock in and out of tasks, appointments and projects via desktop PCs, laptops, notebooks and the latest communications devices and smart phones. They can also view their holiday entitlements, apply for leave, and request updates to their personal records without having to converse with HR staff. 

 

For more information on how a web-based time and attendance system could help you embrace mobile/remote working contact Mitrefinch today on 1300 884 831 (+61 2 8762 7888) or visit www.mitrefinch.com.au

Source: HC Online

More than half of employers to change working practices during the Olympics

Allowing staff to work remotely can provide a host of benefits for organisations. It means that employees who are unable to get into the office can still work, but from home. In addition, staff can do their jobs on the move, if they need to attend meetings or travel to client sites.

By introducing working from home, and other flexi-time initatives, companies can also boost staff morale, as staff who are allowed to work flexibly are often better motivated and more loyal to their employers.

Of course for many companies in London there will be major advantages this summer when the Olympic Games begin, as workers will be able to avoid the expected public transport disruption and work more efficiently from their own homes.

The British Government has in fact urged companies to encourage and support flexible and remote working practices during the 2012 Games, while Transport for London has also launched a campaign to get more commuters working from home to ease pressure on the Tube, train and bus networks.

According to a new report from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), more than half of employers surveyed are making changes to their working practices during the Olympics to enable staff to work more flexibly or enable them to watch key events at work. 

But London Mayor Boris Johnson takes another view. He has argued that home working could become a "skiver's paradise" for many in the capital who he claims will use the Olympics as an excuse to do as little as possible.

"Some people will see the Games as an opportunity to work from home, in inverted commas," he stated. "We all know that is basically sitting wondering whether to go down to the fridge to hack off that bit of cheese before checking your emails again. I don't want to see too many of us doing that."

His comments have been criticised by diversity campaign group Opportunity Now, which described them as "disappointing and damaging" and said it is frustrating that Mr Johnson has not chosen to support the many employers who plan to trial home working this summer.

Speaking to HR Magazine, spokesperson Rachael Saunders said: "Instead of wasting time battling through the tourist crowds, it is far better to be more productive at home - for employers and employees alike.

"Employers in London should continue with their agile and working from home plans during the Olympics and use this as an opportunity to prove outdated viewpoints like this wrong."

Of course while many employees will work to their full potential at home, it can be difficult to monitor what workers are doing when they are not in the office, which is why timeand attendance software and mobile clocking systems can be an effective tool.

Technology innovations facilitating flexible working practices

New technology and communication devices are making flexible and mobile working practices more and more commonplace. 

According to a recent study by Siemens Enterprise Communications, 85 per cent of communication devices used for team collaboration, including smart phones, laptops and mobile phones, are located outside the company headquarters. 

Siemens believe that this trend could result in the 'anywhere employee' - who can use modern technology to work from multiple locations - replacing the traditional office-based worker. 

The communications company says that in the past, staff would have had difficulty managing different platforms - such as email, mobile, landline and social media - outside of the office, whereas modern flexible and collaborative tools now mean this can be done seamlessly and irrespective of location. 

The increasing adoption of cloud computing is also helping organisations to enable remote working, said the study – with 40 per cent of the businesses surveyed intending to deploy some form of cloud computing in the next year.

"The rise of the anywhere employee has meant the end of the office worker," said Rob Keenan, head of UK portfolio management, deployment readiness management at Siemens Enterprise Communications. 

"Business tools, such as unified communications, are reshaping the way organisations collaborate and are helping deliver on the previously-too-difficult promise of enhanced communication. More than ever, work isn't where you go, it's what you do." 

Providing employees with the means to work flexibly can prove a useful absence management tool for employers, allowing staff to work from home or elsewhere should they be unable to make it into the office. 

A web-based time and attendance system would also provide employers with the capability to effectively manage and track their mobile workforce, regardless of their location.

With a web-based time and attendance system, staff can remotely clock in and out of tasks, appointments and projects via desktop PCs, laptops, notebooks and the latest communications devices and smart phones. They can also view their holiday entitlements, apply for leave, and request updates to their personal records without having to converse with HR staff. 

A web-based time and attendance system also facilitates real-time project tracking, providing accurate analysis of employee activity anytime, anywhere – increasing efficiency and ensuring that labour-related costs are genuine. 

For more information on how a web-based time and attendance system could help you embrace mobile/remote working contact Mitrefinch today on 1300 884 831 (+61 2 8762 7888) or visit www.mitrefinch.com.au

Spring Clean your HR and Employee Management Processes

With Summer on the way for us Southern Hemisphere folk – have you thought about giving your current HR and Employee Management processes a good Spring clean? 

Sit back and ask yourself: 

• Is it difficult to get meaningful information from your current systems? 
• Does the system lack integration with your other business applications? Need to enter the same data more than once across multiple systems e.g. Payroll, HR, ERP? 
• Are you still relying on spreadsheets to process payroll and create management reports? 
• Are you manually calculating award entitlements, different pay rates and overtime costs across multiple sites/departments? 
• Are you constantly bombarded with requests for leave or updates to employee records? 
• Could you easily implement Work from Home or Flexi-Time initiatives with your current setup? 

The Solution? 

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the above problems maybe it's time you started looking for an automated Employee Management system that will meet and exceed your expectations. 

Companies generally invest in a Employee Management system to automate the capture and management of all employees’ clocking in and out times and attendance information. This data capture ensures that organisation are complying with all federal and state workplace legislation, such as employee entitlements and modern awards, without having to manage mountains of administrative paperwork. 

A customised scheduling function also allows you to separate work groups that are on different pay scales. While a direct interface to your external payroll application further reduces payroll administration and the potential for costly payroll errors. 

Integrated Employee Self-Service capabilities allow staff to view holiday entitlements, apply for leave, and request updates to their personal records online 24/7 without having to engage an already busy HR department. The ability to clock in/out or on/off jobs via the Internet or Smart Phone would also allow you to keep track of employees working from home our out on the road. 

With all employee data, files and correspondence centrally stored, the filing and retrieval of vital information is quick and easily managed. This information can in turn be used to run reports on past and present data, such as training and development requirements. 

These are just some of the benefits of using an automated time and attendance system, for more information on how we can help improve your current processes visit us online today or call 1300 884 831 (+61 2 8762 7888 for those outside Australia)

Failure to comply with Fatigue Management laws costs Perth Truck company - how are you managing Fatigue?

Industry Search reports that a West Australian truck company has been fined $20,000 for failing to comply with fatigue management laws for its drivers.

Holm, trading as Cockburn Transport, employs drivers to transport freight across Australia on journeys that can take more than two weeks.

In July and August 2008, WorkSafe inspectors investigated the company's fatigue management practices and found it had failed to keep records of work time, breaks from driving or non-work time for trips undertaken by two drivers, and did not ensure that drivers observed fatigue management regulations on three occasions.

Interestingly, the company had been convicted of two similar charges and fined $10,000 in June 2007.

Acting WorkSafe WA commissioner Lex McCulloch said it was "disappointing" that some companies are still failing to comply with laws that have been in place since 1998.

Workplace fatigue is not isolated to the transport and logistics industry. Regardless of what sector you operate in, fatigue can significantly affect a worker’s ability to operate effectively, with side effects including reduced performance and productivity, and greater potential for workplace accidents.

Automated Time and Attendance systems can assist organisations with effective fatigue management, enabling them to proactively monitor staff work and break hours.

Employees have the ability to clock in/out or on/off jobs via wall mounted devices at the depot, head office or manufacturing plant, or via the Internet and mobile or wireless devices for remote staff. This attendance data is recorded and Supervisors and HR are sent an alert when an employee is approaching their work hour limit, enabling them to adjust rosters and shifts accordingly, and enforce minimum break times.

In addition, and automated Time and Attendance system can accommodate current workplace legislation and modern awards, as well as any organisation-specific work rules, and can easily accommodate any new legislative changes. This ensures that your staff are only permitted to work if they satisfy all the associated rules, providing you with ‘peace of mind’ that they are alert to perform their duties in a safe manner.

By automating annual reporting and maintaining a complete audit trail, an effective Time and Attendance system will also arm you with all the information needed in the unfortunate event of legal action.

Ask yourself, how does your fatigue management plan stack up? If you haven't got the processes in place maybe it's time you took a look at a system that will help safeguard your employees and your business. 

To find out more about how an automated Time and Attendance system could help you apply Fatigue Management procedures within your organisation check us out online, email sales@mitrefinch.com.au or call us on +61 2 8762 7888

Is your organisation taking advantage of flexible working arrangements?

The team at Mitrefinch were interested to discover that over one million Queensland employees have engaged in some form of flexible working arrangements as part of their main job, and it begged us to ask the question - is your organisation engaging in Flexi Working?

As reported in HC Online, the figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), found that Government sector employees reportedly make greater use of flexible working arrangements than their colleagues in the private sector, with 67% of government staff using some form of flexible working arrangement in the last year. However the private sector aren’t far behind, with 56% of employees advising that they are able to take advantage of similar flexible work arrangements.

Those working in the government sector enjoy the additional freedom of being able to choose their start and finish times as well as when to take annual leave.

It’s not a big surprise that financial reasons were the driving force behind Queenslanders wanting to work more hours. While, lifestyle was the main reason given for those wanting to work less hours.

The benefits of flexible workplace arrangements have been well documented and the Australian Government Job Access factsheet provides employers with a multitude of reasons why organisations should look to offer flexible work options to employees, such as:

• improving the ability of employers to attract skilled and motivated employees
• creating greater staff loyalty and higher return on training investment
• increased trust and respect
• reduced stress levels and improved morale and commitment
• reduced absenteeism and staff turnover
• improved productivity
• potential for improved occupational health and safety records
• assisting compliance with anti-discrimination and workplace relations laws.

For further information you can read the full article on HC Online here.

Want to introduce flexible working arrangements but not sure how?

Web-based time and attendance software is an effective, yet affordable, means of managing an organisation's entire workforce, allowing management to take full advantage of today’s flexible working practices such as mobile working and flexi-time, keeping costs low and increasing employee productivity.

A web-based time and attendance system allows employees to manage their own time and attendance information in a controlled, accessible and efficient way - regardless of their location.

Staff can remotely clock in and out of tasks, appointments and projects via desktop PCs, laptops, iPads/notebooks and the latest communications devices and smart phones. They can also view their holiday entitlements, apply for leave, and request updates to their personal records without constantly interfering with the valuable time of HR staff.

A web-based time and attendance system also facilitates real-time project tracking, providing accurate analysis of employee activity anytime, anywhere – this greatly increases efficiency and ensures that labour-related costs are genuine.

Meanwhile, powerful reporting functionality enables managers and supervisors to identify the commercial impact of staffing decisions.

Ready to take the next step?

For more information on how a web-based time and attendance system could help you embrace mobile workforce management and flexible working arrangements contact Mitrefinch today on 1300 884 831 (Aus) or 09 363 9557 (NZ).

Alternatively feel free to chat with us online at http://www.mitrefinch.com.au

Benchmarking Payroll: Feedback from the NZPPA Annual Conference and Payroll Expo

Mitrefinch were delighted to be a part of the New Zealand Payroll Practitioners Association (NZPPA) Annual Conference and Payroll Expo which took place in Auckland last week.

The event, the largest of its kind in New Zealand, featured an impressive line-up of presentations with a strong emphasis on current payroll legislation, with Peter Dunne, Minister of Revenue, providing the keynote speech.

Round table discussion groups hosted by NZPPA’s Accreditation arm, Inland Revenue, Payroll Giving, the Department of Labour, and Buckett Law facilitated interaction between attendees and industry specialists, enabling them to ask questions and find out more about services available to them.

While the Training streams covered conference related subjects such as; Customer service skills for payroll, the Wages Protect Act, Top 5 Payroll Calculations, handling difficult people and managing stress in Payroll.

As one of the event exhibitors, the Payroll Expo provided Mitrefinch with an opportunity to speak to a large number of payroll professionals on the challenges involved in fulfilling the ever-changing demands of their businesses.

In keeping with the Conference Theme, “Benchmarking Payroll - Improvement, Performance, and Achievement”, we were only to happy to demonstrate how our employee management solutions have enabled some of the world’s leading organisations to reduce payroll costs and associated administration, improve payroll accuracy, and achieve superior planning and control of employee schedules and jobs.

Our extensive range of data capture options, in particular our mobile applications for effective time management and job costing for remote staff, drew lots of attention to our booth, as well as our delectable Mitrefinch cupcakes (courtesy of the 12 Cupcakes company) and our prize draw for a hamper from The Sweetest Little Chocolate Shop!

If you missed out on the event, the presentations and photos will be available online at the NZPPA website later in the week.

Alternatively to discover how Mitrefinch Time and Attendance and Employee Management solutions could help benchmark your payroll processes contact us on 09 363 9557, marketing@mitrefinch.co.nz or visit us online.

Mitrefinch also look forward to exhibiting at the TAPS Payroll Expo in Sydney and Melbourne later this year (October).

Start the new financial year well-prepared for the HR challenges that lie ahead

Struggling to control labour costs, reduce absenteeism, and manage multiple sites and a mobile workforce? All while trying to comply with the latest legislative requirements?

Sounds like you need a sophisticated Employee Management Solution to help make your life a little easier.

Yet for many organisations, investing in separate Time and Attendance Systems, Rostering Packages and HR Management Software would be out of the question.

But what if you could get all of these systems for the price of one?

Mitrefinch’s Employee Management Solution (Mitrefinch TMS) combines a robust Time and Attendance System with HR Management and Employee Scheduling functionality in one complete package.

Mitrefinch’s Time and Attendance capabilities allow you to manage your staff with greater efficiency. By accurately tracking and analysing your employees’ time, you will benefit from reduced staff costs, increased productivity, better job costing, and more effective planning of future projects - all while taking full advantage of today’s flexible working practices.

Mitrefinch’s HR functionality ensures all your employee data, files and correspondence are centrally stored, making the filing and retrieving of vital information quick and easy to manage, and reducing the risk of error. The stored information can be used to run reports on past and present data, such as training and development requirements.

While Employee Self Service features provide employees with the ability to view their available Annual Leave entitlements and send Leave Requests direct to HR. This greatly reduces time spend on data-input, filling out forms, and dealing with employee questions. Employee reviews and recruitment processes can also be monitored and recorded within the system.

So why waste your time and money on numerous systems when you only need one?

To see how much money Mitrefinch TMS can save your business, try our ROI Calculator online or call 1300 884 831 (Australia)/09 363 9557 (NZ) to book a FREE Consultation or Demonstration.

'Smart' technology set to mobilise the workplace

New research has found that employees will enjoy a more mobile work environment within three to five years as "smart" technology becomes commonplace at work.

The Optus study of 320 medium to large organisations found an increasing demand from workers to use personal smart phones, tablets and mobile applications at work.

However, it also revealed that IT and HR departments are not working together to make the transition possible.

The research indicated there was a disconnect between the policies being developed by HR departments and those being implemented by IT around personal mobile devices.

"If HR and IT departments don't collaborate better, the move to more flexible working environments could be hampered and impact Australian business growth," advised Optus Business Managing Director Rob Parcell.

"IT departments need to educate their organisations on the tools available to support flexible working, while HR departments need to consult their IT teams on tools to support flexible working."

IT survey respondents expect the number of employees working from different remote locations to increase from 27 per cent to 42 per cent, while 84 per cent of employees would be issued with tablets over the next three to five years.

Read the full new article from The Age here

Is your organisation ready to take advantage of mobile working?

Web-based time and attendance software is an increasingly-used and affordable method of workforce management, allowing organisations to take full advantage of today’s flexible working practices such as teleworking and flexi-time, keeping costs low and increasing employee productivity.

A web-based time and attendance system allows your employees manage their own time and attendance in a controlled, accessible and efficient way regardless of their location. Staff can remotely clock in and out of tasks, appointments and projects via desktop PCs, laptops, notebooks and the latest communications devices and smart phones. They can also view their holiday entitlements, apply for leave, and request updates to their personal records without constantly interfering with the valuable time of HR staff.

A web-based time and attendance system also facilitates real-time project tracking, providing accurate analysis of employee activity anytime, anywhere – this greatly increases efficiency and ensures that labour-related costs are genuine. While, powerful reporting functionality enables managers and supervisors to identify the commercial impact of staffing decisions and unplanned absence.

For more information on how a web-based time and attendance system could help you embrace mobile/remote working contact Mitrefinch today on 1300 884 831 or feel free to chat with us online www.mitrefinch.com.au

Smartphone use in Australia is going through the roof, how can you leverage this to better manage your workforce?

A new study by TNS Global has confirmed Smartphone usage in Australia is growing at an exceptional rate.

The international study, now in its 8th year, uses an online panel across 43 markets. This year, 34,000 consumers worldwide took part in the survey, with 504 Australian respondents split across gender, socioeconomic background, and age.

"The biggest surprise this year is we're starting to see Smartphone usage go through the roof," TNS director of technology Marcus Pritchard told Marketing magazine.

"HTC, LG and Samsung are also becoming top of mind for replacement phones, we're seeing the death of the traditional phone."

And it’s not just the iPhone, Pritchard says consumers are becoming more open to other Smartphone alternatives as they learn more about them. "It's about the experience that each can deliver," he explains.

However the study does reveal that Australia is still a little behind other developed markets for technology adoption, the quality of mobile service, and data download speeds.

Check out the complete article in the latest online edition of Marketing Magazine.

So how can you leverage this growth in mobile technology to manage your workforce more accurately and efficiently?

New mobile workforce management applications developed for Smartphones, improve workplace productivity by making it easier for supervisors and employees to complete a wide range of work related and administrative tasks from any location, at any time.

By utilising the mobile devices they are already familiar with, employees can clock in/out or on/off specific jobs from remote work sites, request leave, and review their work information in real time.

While supervisors and managers can monitor real time operations and onsite records, check anomalies, approve timesheets, and respond quickly to leave requests. GPS tracking or Google Map functionality also allows supervisors to check where specific clockings were made.

To find out more about Mitrefinch’s Mobile Workforce Solutions and how they can enhance your employee time and attendance, rostering and absence management processes see www.mitrefinch.com.au, call Sales on 1300 884 831 or email sales@mitrefinch.com.au

Flexible work options to boost job opportunities in rural areas

The introduction of a high-speed broadband network and a shift in employee attitudes towards working remotely will undoubtedly benefit regional areas in terms of increased job opportunities. This was the outlook from Cisco’s “The Changing Nature of Work” debate last week.

Speaking at the event, Senator Kate Lundy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, explained that the growing flexibility of working locations and advancements in technology and infrastructure would present a ‘phenomenal opportunity’ for those not living in metropolitan areas.

“People will have choice in this country about where they work, and how productive that work can be, like no other country. The change would set Australia up to be a fascinating test bed for change in work practice across the world, and lead by example,” she said.

Jacob Murray-White, Head of Salmat@Home, said that geographic diversity and ‘working from home’ allows organisations to “to reach out to people all over Australia and therefore attract a really high quality of people who really want to work from home.”

He added, “it allows people to make a lifestyle choice about where they want to live and it allows them to work in what is essentially a very nice work environment at home doing a high white collar style job on their own terms – it means that we get some fantastic people who would have no other way of participating in this type of work force.”

As a precursor to the debate, Cisco conducted a survey "The Connected World" which questioned over 2600 workers from around the globe. The results revealed that two thirds of participants would rather have flexible working arrangements than a higher salary, while in Australia the figure was even higher at 73 per cent. However, 43 per cent of Australian employees believe that they needed to be physically ‘in the office’ to make decisions more effectively and efficiently, with nothing replacing daily ‘in-person’ interaction.

Fernanda Afonso, organisational development specialist for Freehills and national chair of the Australian Psychology Society, said that while a high proportion of employees would prefer more flexible working conditions, it is important to remember that we are social human beings and need to feel connected to a broader community in some kind way.

Interestingly the Cisco results suggest that the ability to work outside office hours, doesn't necessarly result in a shorter working week for employees, instead participants said that on avearge they worked an extra 2-3 hours per day, while 10 per cent said that they were always online and work through their waking hours.

Afonso said that the responsibility should lie with employees, who must set strict boundaries for a work/ life balance and communicate what is acceptable for them personally.

"Sometimes we do expect our managers to second guess what’s going on in our life, so I think it’s important for the individual to communicate that,” she advised.

To read the full article see the HR Leader: http://www.humanresourcesmagazine.com.au/articles/E8/0C06F6E8.asp

To support today’s flexible working practices such as job-sharing, flex-time, and remote offices, Mitrefinch’s Time and Attendance software (TMS) and HR systems are available as web-based applications, an iPhone App or can be deployed on other smart phones, WAP enabled mobiles, notebooks and laptops.

This enhanced functionality enables organisations to monitor the time and attendance of all employees, and automate time-intensive administrative tasks, in turn enhancing productivity, improving workforce compliance while also increasing customer and employee satisfaction. In addition, integration with GPS technology and Job Costing facilitates real-time project tracking and analysis of employee activity from any location.

To find out more contact Mitrefinch Sales on 1300 884 831 or sales@mitrefinch.com.au

Mitrefinch User Group Conference to showcase new Time and Attendance developments

Mitrefinch's Australian clients will congregate at the Company’s Annual User Group Conferences in Melbourne and Sydney this April.

These free half day events will provide clients with an opportunity to experience the advanced data visualisation and mobile working features available in the latest release of Mitrefinch’s Time and Attendance system, TMS Version 6.0, as well as new developments in biometric technology, data collection devices, and other employee management add on solutions.

Debbie Guppy, Mitrefinch Group CEO, from Mitrefinch’s UK head office will be on hand to provide the keynote speech, and announce the launch of a new Customer Referral Club, which aims to acknowledge and offer incentives for any new business that clients refer to Mitrefinch.

In addition, senior management and members from Mitrefinch Australia’s support and technical team will be sharing their expertise with attendees, and providing advice on how to gain the best possible return on investment from Mitrefinch’s employee management solutions.

Attendees will also have ample opportunity to exchange real world knowledge and experience with their peers and system users from other industry sectors over a networking lunch.

“Our clients have found direct access to senior management to be a key differentiator from other conferences”, advises Allan Murdoch, Mitrefinch Business Development Manager. “The insight we receive from our attendees is invaluable, I believe we learn more from our customers than any other source. Their feedback drives the direction of our development to meet their needs."

The Mitrefinch User Group Conferences will be held in Melbourne at the Punt Hill South Yarra Grand on Thursday April 14th and in Sydney at WatervieW Conference Centre, Olympic Park on Friday April 15th.

Further User Group Conferences are planned for Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth later this year.

The User Group Conferences are free for all Mitrefinch users to attend, however RSVP by March 25th is essential.

To reserve your spot you can register online or contact Mitrefinch directly on 1300 884 831 or sales@mitrefinch.com.au

For more information on Mitrefinch's User Group Conference please see the Event Page

Give your HR Department the gift of Employee Self Service

With the Christmas and Summer holiday season well and truly upon us, HR departments across the country are being bombarded with various requests for time off.

How your business deals with these requests can make a big difference to your bottom line - as well as your HR team's wellbeing!

Mitrefinch's Time Management System, TMS, lets your employees manage their own time and attendance in a controlled, accessible and efficient way.

Our web-based interface can be customised to allow remote clocking in from desktop PCs, laptops and the latest smart phones - enabling staff to clock in and out of tasks, appointments and projects whether they are in the office or out in the field.

Employees can also view their accrued leave, entitlements, and request updates to their personal records without having to bother the HR department. It TMS allows you to take full advantage of today’s flexible work schedules and split shifts, keeping your costs as low as possible and increasing your organisation’s productivity.

Employee Self Service is ultimately designed to make your business more profitable and your HR team more efficient.

To find out how, please visit www.mitrefinch.com.au or call 1300 884 831 and put Employee Self Service on your Christmas Wishlist today!

Payroll Professionals call for accurate workforce management information

Absence management is still a major priority for payroll professionals, according to the results of Cybershift's 2010 APA Trendline Survey, "It's About Time". This admission comes as little suprise with recent industry research revealing that up to 6 billion man hours are lost to employee absence across Europe alone each year.

The Cybershift survey was conducted among attendees at the American Payroll Association (APA) and Canadian Payroll Association (CPA) conferences earlier this year, and covered a range of employee management topics; from current time and attendance challenges to the use of a contingent workforce and proposed new workplace legislation.

Results reveal that almost one-quarter of payroll professionals believe accurate employee time tracking information would make their jobs easier. In addition, nearly half of the respondents admitted that they find it difficult to capture accurate, real time data for absence, annual leave, sickness and payroll adjustments.

"It may surprise people, but many businesses are still using laborious manual processes to schedule, deploy and track the time and attendance of their workforce. Not only is manual tracking cumbersome and time consuming, but it also can impede decisions regarding workforce deployment and lead to compromised payroll accuracy,” stated Morné P. Swart, CyberShift's VP of Product Management.

The 1,088 APA and CPA members who responded to the survey represented organisations of varying sizes and across a broad range of industries.

For more information on the Cybershift Survey click here.

The emergence of mobile workforce management applications

While many organisations have already implemented time and attendance systems, scheduling and employee analytics, mobile applications can raise the bar for effective workforce management.

This is particularly timely considering a recent study by Citrix Online found that 47% of UK companies have seen an increase in workforce mobility over the last five years, largely due to increased availability of the required technology to send employees onto the road.

The increasing availability of devices and applications designed to enhance employee productivity on the go is also driving greater workforce flexibility.

Leslie Hand, research director for IDC Retail Insights, says “by leveraging a solution that integrates mobile technology with your scheduling solution, shift requests automatically follow your organisation’s defined business rules to identify and prioritise the list of possible workers,” she says. “Shifts are filled with the right employee for the job and you avoid the challenges that can result from having too few employees on a particular shift.”

Hand explains that the combined benefits can “lead to significant ROI” with “many retailers reporting full payback within 18 months [and] an integrated configurable workforce management system ultimately results in a lower total cost of ownership.”

Mitrefinch’s web-based time and attendance solution (MobileTMS) allows businesses to mobilise their workforce. Available as an iPhone App or deployed on other smart phones, WAP enabled mobiles, notebooks and laptops, MobileTMS further enhances productivity, improves workforce compliance while also increasing customer and employee satisfaction. In addition, integration with GPS technology and Job Costing facilitates real-time project tracking and analysis of employee activity from any location.

Additional Resources:
http://www.stores.org/stores-magazine-august-2010/phoning-it
http://wp.me/pV6fZ-2E
http://tinyurl.com/393qbly