Work/life balance key to improving productivity

“Improving the work/life balance of employees in the public sector is key to improving productivity,” said Brenda Pilott, National Secretary of the Public Service Association, commenting on a report released by the Department of Labour, which outlines how work/life balance policies improve productivity.

The report notes some strategies employers can adopt to improve work/life balance such as flexible start and finish times, more input by employees into rosters and shifts and study leave options.

“The long hours culture in the public sector must change,” said Brenda Pilott. “New Zealanders have the second highest hours of work of any employees in the OECD.”

“It’s time that employers genuinely committed to flexible working arrangements to boost productivity and ensure employees can balance their work with their family and other commitments.”

“Flexible start and finish times are just the beginning, work/life balance needs to be about creating a workplace culture where employees are given a real say about their working conditions.”

The PSA represents over 54,000 public service workers in central and local government, the health sector and in community services.

“Work/life balance arrangements will contribute to the high skills, high wage and high productivity economy that government has identified as the recipe for the future.”

The PSA has been working with the Department of Labour to develop initiatives which improve work/life balance and productivity in the public sector.

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