‘We encourage the children to feel that they are part of our community – almost an extended family’
Fresh Ideas funding recipient - Resolve Consulting Group Pty Ltd
At Resolve Consulting Group’s national office in Gosford, five of the six employees have 11 school-age children between them.
So using a Fresh Ideas for Work and Family grant to set up a family room for occasional use by children after school or if they are unwell and during school holidays is a project that has broad staff support.
Company partner David Bartlett says that the small business of chartered accountants and management consulting to not-for-profit organisations is ‘very family-friendly’.
‘We encourage the children to feel that they are part of our community – almost an extended family,’ he says.
David believes it is important as an employer to think about the needs of your employees.
‘Think about what would make life easier for them and then collaborate to find a creative solution.’
As part of the process of applying for a Fresh Ideas for Work and Family grant, the partners met with staff to discuss their family friendly arrangement needs.
‘Staff had been frustrated with our previous arrangements which were limited and from this feedback we established a plan to address their concerns.’
It was agreed the grant would be used to construct a family room with a glass wall to allow supervision of children in a well-equipped, noise-proof facility.
The result is an area that is safe, separate from the work spaces and equipped with a portable bed, bean bags, lounge, desk, television, DVD, board games and computer access.
David is seeing clear evidence that the arrangement is beneficial to both the employees and the business and says this was highlighted during the last school holidays.
‘The family room means we can offer our staff greater flexibility in terms of balancing their work and family responsibilities.
‘In appropriate circumstances staff can continue working through school holidays with their children nearby. When the room is being used by children, parents are not distracted from their work because the kids are entertaining themselves and each other in the room.
‘Another benefit to the business of flexible family arrangements is the reduction in sick days,’ says David. ‘With health issues such as asthma-related days off school, parents have the choice of bringing non-contagious children to work rather than taking a carer’s day.
‘And if it’s necessary for the kids to come in after school, it can provide somewhere appropriate for them to do homework or other activities. Everyone wins.’