Aussie employers keen to hire more mums
More than half of Australian businesses are intending to hire more mothers returning to work in the next two years, according to a global survey.
The survey conducted by workplace solutions provider, Regus, of over 11,000 corporates across 13 countries, found that 44 percent of businesses plan to hire more mothers returning to part-time work over the next two years.
Australian hiring intentions are well above the global average, with 55 percent of business leaders saying they will recruit more mothers on a part-time basis over the next 24 months. The finding indicates that the Australian work culture is, overall, keen to support the balance between work and family responsibilities.
Claudia Keech, Founder and CEO of leading mother’s website, MotherInc.com.au, said that while the economy is still recovering, it makes a lot of sense for businesses to take advantage of the expertise that mothers and fathers returning to work can offer – be that part time, casual or working from home.
“By the time you become a mother or father, you have also acquired a wealth of expertise in the workplace. It makes sense for businesses to offer flexible working conditions to attract such valuable employees,” she said.
The survey results precede new Australian workplace laws, which come into effect on January 1, 2010, giving parents of young children the right to request flexible working conditions.
Under the new Austrailan National Employment Standards, an employee who is a parent or has responsibility for the care of a child under school age, may request a change in their working arrangements including changes in hours, changes in work patterns and work location.
More than half of Australian businesses are intending to hire more mothers returning to work in the next two years, according to a global survey.
The survey conducted by workplace solutions provider, Regus, of over 11,000 corporates across 13 countries, found that 44 percent of businesses plan to hire more mothers returning to part-time work over the next two years.
Australian hiring intentions are well above the global average, with 55 percent of business leaders saying they will recruit more mothers on a part-time basis over the next 24 months. The finding indicates that the Australian work culture is, overall, keen to support the balance between work and family responsibilities.
Claudia Keech, founder and CEO of mother’s website, MotherInc.com.au, said that while the economy is still recovering, it makes a lot of sense for businesses to take advantage of the expertise that mothers and fathers returning to work can offer – be that part time, casual or working from home.
“By the time you become a mother or father, you have also acquired a wealth of expertise in the workplace. It makes sense for businesses to offer flexible working conditions to attract such valuable employees,” she said.
The survey results precede new Australian workplace laws, which come into effect on January 1, 2010, giving parents of young children the right to request flexible working conditions.
Under the new Austrailan National Employment Standards, an employee who is a parent or has responsibility for the care of a child under school age, may request a change in their working arrangements including changes in hours, changes in work patterns and work location.
