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Whether you’re looking for small temporary flexi-solutions or permanent larger flexible practices, find inspiration from these case studies of businesses who saw the benefits of flexible working.
What employees say about flexible working
“Flexible working allows me to work from my local BNZ store instead of our central office, once a week. This saves me almost three hours of commuting time, giving me more time with my family. It also allows me to get to know a different part of our business, which helps me do my job better.”
Emma, BNZ employee
“I’m really enjoying spending more time with my children, as I write this, I’m sitting at my kitchen bench alongside one daughter doing maths and another needing help with her spelling.”
Katie Williams, HR Director, Vodafone NZ
“For starters, not having to commute into and out of the office is saving me at least an hour a day. Other than getting that time back, it’s also a big reduction in stress. It’s also allowed me to repurpose that time to spend with my kids or on ‘life maintenance’.”
Ryan Ghisi, GM of Global People Programmes, Xero
“I spend less time in congested traffic now, so I’m less stressed and waste less time commuting. And that means I’m more focused when I get in and have more energy for my job.”
Laurence Sparke, Tax Manager, BBR Limited
Why businesses choose flexible working
Xero
After adopting flexible working practices, Xero saw their staff turnover decrease by 18% and employee satisfaction triple across three years.
“It really shouldn’t be considered a benefit or perk that companies offer, but rather a core part of the employee experience.” – Ryan Ghisi. GM of Global People Programmes, Xero
The Hospitality Association of New Zealand
Since introducing flexible working, The Hospitality Association of New Zealand has seen staff turnover decrease and productivity and customer experience increase.
“It is far more productive working from home as you can concentrate on your work and don’t get interrupted a lot.” – Sara Tucker, Regional Manager, The Hospitality Association of New Zealand.
SkyCity
“Flexibility is an integral part of our work culture, which makes us attractive as an employer. It opens up opportunities for a wide range of people from diverse backgrounds to have a career and a life outside of work. We’ve found that these people are really engaged, motivated and loyal. Some of our employees, for instance, have been with us for the 21 years we’ve been open. So, I highly recommend it” – Claire Walker, Group GM HR, SkyCity.
PWC
“I have very talented people in my team who want to have a career, but not at the expense of important parts of their personal lives. So, we trust them, and give them the necessary autonomy and support, to make flexible working a success. We’ve found that this approach makes people highly motivated and fosters loyalty and team spirit.” – Erin Venter, Transfer Pricing Partner, PWC.
BNZ
“Along with the many business benefits, we’ve found that flexibility improves our people’s motivation and job enjoyment, as well as their wellbeing and life balance. Our most recent employee engagement survey revealed significantly higher overall job engagement amongst people who work flexibly, compared with those who don’t.” – Lana West, Head of Diversity and Inclusion, BNZ.
Top tips from business leaders
Have a routine
“Set a schedule and stick to it, including start and finish times. Get dressed – even if it is a little more comfortable than you would normally wear to the office. Pick up the phone rather than use email – this helps you and your team stay connected to each other. Make sure your workspace is set up safely. Avoid the fridge as much as possible.” – Katie Williams, HR Director, Vodafone NZ.
Stay connected
“Ensure your team is staying connected through calls, video chats and scheduled catchups. Weekly conference calls between team members, effective communication technology and a results focused management approach is also important.” – Sara Tucker, Regional Manager, The Hospitality Association of New Zealand.
Have a good work station set up
“Having a good, ergonomic setup is really important. It allows me to work productively and ensure I’m comfortable throughout the day. It’s also important to get up and move regularly. Setting yourself up in the right location is key too, particularly if there’s others around when you’re working from home.” – Ryan Ghisi. GM of Global People Programmes, Xero.
Find a good balance
“The nature of our work makes it relatively easy for us to support flexible working, but that doesn’t mean everyone works remotely all the time. Collaborating in person is crucial to getting our work done and fostering a good work culture, too. It’s all about finding the right balance.” – Jenson Varghese, New Zealand Regional Manager, MRCagney.
Change your mindset and organisational culture
“Making flexible working a success requires a shift in mindset and culture. Being at your desk for long hours does not equal success. Also, everyone has a role: individuals must manage their own work and wellbeing, and people leaders need to understand and value the benefits of flexibility for customers, individuals and the whole team.” – Lana West, Head of Diversity and Inclusion, BNZ.
Learn more about the key benefits of flexible working for employers and employees.
How to get started with flexible working
Check out our guide to flexible working or learn more about our Travelwise Choices programme.
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