53% of women state the company they work for is not family friendly, according to the latest poll by the Heat Group.
The poll of 616 women by the Heat Group, leading marketer to Australian women, found that only 47% of respondents work for a company that promotes family friendly practices and ethos.
93% believe employers need to make a bigger effort to allow women flexibility to integrate home needs with their work pressures.
Interestingly, 99% of those surveyed under the age of 24 believe this should be a focus, highlighting that employees need to make this a priority as this generation becomes the dominant part of Australia’s workforce.
“Australian employers need to step up and realise that providing a supportive work environment for those with a family is not only essential but beneficial to the business” says Gillian Franklin, Managing Director of the Heat Group. “Heat has focused on this since inception which has influenced excellent business and financial growth. Unfortunately, many business leaders still see family friendly polices as a cost, not a benefit and this mindset needs to change.”
With 94% of respondents stating that all Australian workplaces should be family friendly, companies need to act on this sooner rather than later.
“Family friendly workplaces result in happier employees and more productive business outcomes as the intellectual property of workers is retained,” says Franklin.
Recognised as an Employer of Choice, Heat’s family friendly policies have seen almost 90% of women return to Heat after taking maternity leave and, most importantly, return to their previous role. As one of Australia’s fastest growing cosmetic companies, Heat proves that SME’s can effectively support women and their careers.
“Family friendly workplaces could offer flexible work options, paternity and maternity leave, and a culture which supports work family balance,” says Franklin.
For interviews with Gillian Franklin,
please contact Elisa Tubecki
(03)98545 7191 | 0437 457 611
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