Job flexibility trumps pay and conditions in staff retention

Research by Employsure has found flexible working hours and a healthy work-life balance are key factors in staff retention.

Research by workplace relations specialist Employsure has found flexible working hours and a healthy work-life balance are key factors in staff retention, overshadowing pay and training.

Managing director Edward Mallett says the research shows people often need to organise work around family.

“Employers should approach requests for flexible working arrangements with an open mind,” Mallett says. He says this can be much cheaper than pay-rises and other staff enticements.

Recent research by recruiter Robert Walters supports the findings, showing four in 10 professionals turn down jobs that fail to offer flexibility.

Mallett says this is not just a management issue, as employees working with a company for more than a year may be entitled to apply for flexible hours.

“Their requests can be denied only if there are reasonable business grounds to support this decision,” he says.

He says employers should consider the reasons for any request to work flexible hours carefully to ensure they treat all employees fairly.

More jobseekers

The number of active jobseekers in Australia increased 9 per cent in the past 12 months, according to networking site LinkedIn.

The Talent Trends 2015 study looks into why people are motivated to seek a new job and trends in the Australian employment market.

LinkedIn director of talent solutions Jason Laufer says there is a large untapped talent pool in Australia, with 31 per cent of people surveyed seeking a new role. The report says the other 69 per cent of professionals are interested in hearing about new opportunities even if they are satisfied with their job.

The survey found the main motivating factor for professionals seeking a new role was money, with 41 per cent of responders saying compensation was most important, and 38 per cent were more motivated by improved work-life balances.

The study found the interview process was important to the candidate and employer, with 76 per cent saying it would be a deciding factor in whether they accepted a new job.

The report says offering interview feedback shows an organisation cares about a candidate’s professional success regardless of whether they offer a position.

Referral app

Sydney-based technology firm Reffind will partner with recruitment specialist Randstad to provide a mobile referral platform, representing a shift from traditional recruitment practices by using mobile technology to refine the process.

The Reffind app provides details of suitable jobs and encourages users to refer a candidate if the role is not for them. Randstad’s Asia-Pacific arm will use the app to target up to 400,000 IT professionals.

Randstad’s Alex Jones says the platform will provide jobseekers with immediate access to all relevant roles and the chance to earn a referral fee.

Reffind co-founder Jamie Pride says the company will help these clients embrace changes in technology and create a new age of engaging and communicating with prospective recruits.

AHRI elections

Nominations for the Australian Human Resources Institute state council close on Monday.

AHRI state councillors advise the board on issues affecting the development of the profession and members within its state or territory, foster development of human resources professional knowledge and member skills, and enhance the profile of the profession locally. Email [e-mail].