Family-friendly workplaces

Women play an important role in Tasmania’s economy. The need for business to attract and retain skilled women is vital to Tasmania’s economic productivity. An important key to retaining skilled employees is the extent to which businesses can provide flexibility in employment and family friendly workplaces. This means workplaces which enable employees to balance paid employment with caring for children and other family members.  Employees are increasingly looking for companies that will be supportive of their need for a healthy work-life balance.

Flexible work practices

Flexible work practices enable employees and employers to better manage the work/life balance.

Flexible work practices can be broad ranging and as creative as management and employee negotiations allow. What may suit one employee or organisation, may not suit another.

Flexible working arrangements

The Australian Government's business.gov website provides information and advice to employers and employees on improving the balance between work and family life, with a focus on flexible working arrangements. Includes fact sheets on:  Benefits of Work/Life Balance; Flexible Working Arrangements and Paid Parental Leave.

Employer of Choice Awards

The Tasmanian Government is investing in the economic future of Tasmania by assisting employers succeed in attracting and retaining skilled workers to support the growth and sustainability of their business.

The Employer of Choice Awards celebrate and reward workplaces that adopt modern work practices and promote a work-life balance as part of a strategy to attract and retain skilled workers.

Further information

• WorkSafe Tasmania is responsible for administering much of the legislation that regulates business in Tasmania

• Tasmanian Anti Discrimination Commission

• Fair Work Online - information and advice about Australia’s new national workplace relations system from the Fair Work Ombudsman.
  You’ll also find links to Fair Work Australia - the national workplace relations tribunal. T he Workplace Authority ceased to operate on 31 January 2010

• Child Care Unit, Department of Education - Find out what the Child Care Unit does and its involvement with child care services in Tasmania

  Department of Employment and Workplace Relations – Work and Family section - provides information and advice to employers and employees on improving the balance between work and family life, with a focus on flexible working arrangements. Includes fact sheets on:
  • Why Family Friendly Policies are Good for Business
  • Why Flexible Work Arrangements are Good for business
  • Developing a Work and Family Policy in Your Workplace
  • Evaluating Work and Family Strategies in Your Workplace