Work from home also offered by nearly half of employers: report
Flexible working hours emerged as the most-offered work and support option from employers in 2023, according to Stats NZ.
The data revealed that 81% of employers in New Zealand offered flexible working hours to their staff, with the number going up to 90% when it comes to large businesses.
Flexible working hours were more likely to be offered in the following industries:
- Professional, scientific, and technical services (95%)
- Information media and telecommunications (94%)
- Financial and insurance services (92%)
The second most-offered work style for employees is the option to work part time, which is extended by 77% of employers.
This is followed by support for mental health and wellbeing (53%) and support for physical health and wellbeing (48%).
Source: Stats NZ
Working from home also offered
Meanwhile, the report also found that 43% of businesses offered the option to work from home, with the following industries most likely to offer them:
- Information media and telecommunications industry (86%)
- Financial and insurance services (84%)
- Professional, scientific, and technical services (81%)
Ricky Ho, business performance manager, said 14% of employees from organisations offering work from home took the option.
In the information media and telecommunications industry, 30% of staff worked from home on a typical day in 2023.
Flexibility in demand
The findings come as a recent Frog Recruitment report revealed that more than a third of employees in New Zealand would likely leave due to a lack of flexibility.
Shannon Barlow, managing director at Frog Recruitment, previously said flexibility has become a "valuable bargaining tool" in the negotiating table.
"Ignoring this expectation can create a talent exodus, and organisations must keep hold of their talent in our tight labour market," she said.
