Family friendly workplaces have policies in place to help staff work flexible hours, to take leave when they

need it and to allow them to care for others. At these workplaces, women can ask about and access family friendly options without feeling like they are jeopardising their employment.

why go family friendly?

good for women

Women are still the primary carers in our society. Difficulties balancing work and family severely disadvantage them and remain a major cause of gender inequity. Women's organisations need to provide leadership to the rest of our community by showing how family friendly policies can be put into action in our own organisations.

good for business

Getting family friendly policies up and running will take some planning and effort, but the rewards are great. Organisations that have successfully implemented family friendly policies have reported:

• Increased productivity, motivation, creativity and ownership of results

• Happier employees - at work and at home - with less stress and better health

• Reduced turnover

• Lower absenteeism

• Increased levels of client satisfaction

• More employees returning to work after maternity leave

• Better quality applicants for available jobs

• Greater ability to meet service demands

• Reduced risk of physical and mental burnout.

good for society

Women's organisations have the opportunity to build on Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws and minimum standards to lead the way towards a socially just workplace.

Find out more about EEO laws.

What qualifies as discrimination?

Consult your union.

Get help with discrimination or other illegal action at work.

Previous   Next