Allens Arthur Robinson: Flexibility a must during tough economic times

Flexibility a must during tough economic times

25 March 2009

Organisations cannot afford to cut back on investment in flexible work programs during tough economic times, according to a leading flexibility expert.

Allens Arthur Robinson's Head of Flexibility & Diversity, Dr Jacqui Abbott, said organisations that continued to invest in flexible work programs over the next year will be better placed to take advantages of business opportunities coming out of the downturn.

'Flexibility is about managing your resources to get the very best outcomes for both the employer and employee,' Dr Abbott said.

'That doesn't change whatever the economic situation at the time, and in fact difficult times allows an organisation to continue to invest in such flexibility programs.

'It is always a two-way relationship in that such programs meet desired business outcomes and personal outcomes.'

Dr Abbott was speaking after Allens Arthur Robinson was once again cited as an Employer of Choice for Women by the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA). This marks the fifth consecutive year the firm has been awarded the citation, making Allens one of only four law firms to have achieved this.

The firm's Director of People & Development, Susan Ferrier, said that she was delighted that the firm was being recognised with the citation as it reflected our firm's continued strong commitment to diversity and flexibility.

'One of the goals in our strategic plan is to develop our people in a culture that harnesses diversity, and our continued recognition by the EOWA as an Employer of Choice for Women shows that we are succeeding in this area,' Ms Ferrier said.

'A significant difference this year in our application was that we were able to demonstrate a stronger commitment to flexibility through the implementation in July 2008 of our new policies on flexible working arrangements.

'Although much has been achieved in the last few years, we continue to seek out ways to better support and develop the talented women in our firm as part of our goal to create a highly engaged and energised workplace where people are inspired to do their best.'

For more information on the EOWA citation, go to http://www.eowa.gov.au/.

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