Mela Lush, founder of social enterprise Jobs for Mums.
Photo: Provided

Notice: As the founder of a flexible career platform and with a decade of running a business, I have seen the toll the traditional work model has on people and the effects of stress, anxiety, burnout and guilt. Guilt during a rough start, guilt over being the last parent to pick up daycare, and guilt when work and life mix and you’re taking swimming lessons on your laptop.

I have certainly felt all of these things, and this has been my main motivation in developing a flexible working platform, one which has seen an increase in site visits since the public sector and several large New Zealand businesses have decided that we all need to get back into the world. full-time office, despite the evidence against it.

After releasing the public sector announcement to return to all things traditional, our flexible working platform, Jobs for Mums, saw over 120,000 page visits and 680,000 page views from people actively seeking opportunities flexible employment opportunities, with a notable increase in inquiries from candidates wanting to leave. employers who reduce flexibility.

I urge businesses to think twice before jumping on the office bandwagon because they are missing out on highly educated and experienced talent.

It’s a challenging time for businesses, but remote working isn’t the problem, it’s actually an opportunity. An opportunity to hire talent you couldn’t otherwise afford to run your business in a tough economic climate.

Flexible options, such as part-time positions during school hours, not only support working parents, but also lead to more focused and productive work, and are one of the most effective retention tools today. more effective for businesses.

Recent employment data shows that 78 percent of New Zealanders looking for new roles value flexible working options, and the Jobs for Mums database includes more than 25,000 people with an average of 10 years of employment. experience, and 70 percent with higher or higher education seeking flexibility.

Businesses can benefit from top-tier operations, marketing, human resources and production talent, to name a few, by demonstrating courage and remaining flexible in a turning tide. traditional model.

In times of uncertainty, businesses may reduce their flexibility to regain control. However, investing in effective management and leadership training to guide remote and diverse teams is a better option. A flexible workforce remains a powerful asset that delivers far-reaching benefits, including improving family well-being, reducing poverty, supporting gender equity and, of course, Increased productivity and reduced costs.

Don’t go back to traditional working models just because it’s the easiest option, when being flexible and thinking creatively is the best way to grow your business.

I encourage employers to view flexibility as a strategic advantage. As the work landscape evolves, companies that prioritize flexibility will remain competitive, attract top talent, reduce costs, and emerge better on the other side of today’s challenging operating conditions.

– Mela Lush is the founder of Jobs for Mums, a social enterprise jobs platform dedicated to connecting parents and caregivers with flexible work opportunities.

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