Embrace flexible working or flounder in the future
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Diversity Council Australia’s (DCA) new research demonstrates the business benefits of flexible working. In the face of globalisation, technology advancements and demographic shifts, DCA believes organisations need to rethink their approach to flexibility.
Lisa Annese, DCA’s CEO, said organisations need to stop tinkering around the edges of flexible working or they will be left behind.
“The World Economic Forum predicts that we are on the cusp of a ‘fourth industrial revolution’. Technological, socio-economic and demographic shifts are transforming the way we work, demanding flexibility in the way individuals, teams and organisations work. We need to grasp the opportunity to be more creative and innovative when it comes to work design,” said Annese.
“Our members repeatedly request guidance on how they can build leaders’ ability to (re)design work and jobs. This is a critical obstacle to mainstreaming flexibility in their workplaces and experiencing the associated business benefits.”
DCA’s new research project, Future-Flex, released this week, seeks to challenge and change mindsets and outdated assumptions about the nature of work, the ‘ideal’ worker (who is full time with no responsibilities outside of work), and what drives performance and productivity in organisations.
“Future-Flex gives organisations the tools to mainstream flexibility by looking at work design with the team, and the whole organisation, in mind rather than coming up with ad-hoc arrangements,” said Annese.
“Those organisations that fail to adopt a different approach to flexible work will be unable to experience the benefits or meet future challenges – and that’s not good for anyone.”
