Apologies to subscribers for the lull in editions of Work on Life. Since the last edition the AIRC delivered its decision on the Reasonable Hours test case and the ACTU made a submission to the Sex Discrimination Commissioner’s inquiry into paid maternity leave igniting a debate on work and family which has occupied a strong and consistent presence in the daily media.
Work on Life readers can now self-subscribe to the email list via the ACTU website. Current subscribers will remain on the list and will receive a welcome email from the list manager in the next few days. If you wish to update your details, unsubscribe or know of a friend who would like to subscribe, simply go to http://www.actu.asn.au/cgi-bin/forms/eaddress.pl
In this edition:
1. Managing Work and Family in the 21st Century
2. Happy Workers Makes Good Business
3. ACTU Welcomes NT's 14-Week Paid Maternity Leave Benchmark
4. No Rest for the Weary
5. Unpaid Overtime Rampant
6. ACTU Looks to Extend Unpaid Maternity Leave
7. Working Hours Undermining Family Life
8. Overseas In Brief
9. Discounts on travel books
10. HMV Student Discounts
Managing Work and Family in the 21st Century
“Work and family policies have to be developed to ensure families have a reasonable standard of living. We have to ensure both mothers and fathers are able to combine the raising of their children with gainful employment.”
Probably for the first time in our history, paid maternity leave is a page one story.
Following the launch of the ACTU’s model for paid maternity leave, there’s been a chorus of support across the country from a diverse and powerful range of lobby groups.
Peak employer bodies such as the Australian Industry Group are telling the government it’s not only economically achievable, it’s also socially desirable. Read More.
Happy workers makes good business
Companies that help employees ease the pressures of balancing work and family responsibilities are clear leaders in the third annual Corporate Reputation Index, published in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age newspapers.
For more information read Family Friendly Companies Earn A Good Name.
ACTU Welcomes NT’s 14-Week Paid Maternity Leave Benchmark
The ACTU has welcomed the Northern Territory Government’s decision to increase paid maternity leave entitlements to 14 weeks for all women working for the NT public service.
ACTU Welcomes NT’s 14-Week Paid Maternity Leave Benchmark
No Rest for the Weary
Corporate fiascos like Enron, HIH, and One.Tel have created an opening for a more comprehensive questioning of corporate behaviour, says Juliet Schor. While we're at it let's look at the work norms imposed on employees that lead to overwork.
No Rest For The Weary
Unpaid Overtime Rampant
Nearly half of Australia's full-time employees work almost a full extra day each week in unpaid overtime according to a JOB futures/Saulwick Survey.
ACTU Looks to Extend Unpaid Maternity Leave
ACTU Secretary Greg Combet has flagged the prospect of a test case in the award system for a longer period of unpaid maternity leave as well the current statutory allowance for 12 months.
For more information see the ACTU’s submission to HREOC inquiry of paid maternity leave
Working Hours Undermining Family Life
A new international workplace survey by global recruitment agency Kelly Services has found a quarter of Australian workers believe current working hours are undermining family life.
Overseas in Brief
Overtime culture gets worse - one in six people do more than 60 hours a week despite campaign for flexible employment.
Age of revolution - the UK must introduce laws to combat age discrimination by 2006 - but a growing number of older workers are taking action now.
Cabbies struggle for ‘reasonable living’ - Bristol's taxi drivers say their working lives are being made intolerable by the sheer number of cabs in the city.
Striking the right balance - workers would rather have their hours cut than win the lottery as a way of improving their quality of life and cutting down on stress.
Travel Books Discount
Work on Life subscribers can purchase a range of Explore Australia travel books and receive a discount of 10%. Titles include Explore Australia 2002, Explore Australia by 4WD, Fish Australia plus a range of sheet maps can be purchased from the store.
To purchase online and receive the discount you need to:
1. visit the Explore Australia website
2. select and order the titles you wish to purchase
3. fill out the feedback form at the bottom of the page and indicate that you are a Work on Life subscriber to be eligible to receive 10% off.
HMV Student Discount Cards
As part of its activities aimed at young people, the ACTU has HMV student discount cards which entitle the bearer to 10% off music, DVDs and videos.
If you are a student or know of a student who would be interested in a discount as well as subscribing to Work on Life, please send their postal address and email address to workonlife@actu.asn.au
The cards are valid until 16 February 2003.
In addition to highlighting workplace success stories that promote a healthy work and lifestyle balance, this e-bulletin also provides:
- Academic research on public policy responses to issues such as
Australia’s ageing population and declining fertility rate
- International briefs, updates and research
- HR/Management best practice
- Union members’ personal stories of health/lifestyle improvements which
in turn enhanced their working lives
- Practical steps to achieve a better work/life balance at your workplace
- Competitions and give-aways
- Letters forum and contributory articles section
If someone you know would like to receive Work on Life simply email workonlife@actu.asn.au with “please subscribe me” in the subject heading.
Let us know you’re out there! Email back your comments, letters or ideas for stories to workonlife@actu.asn.au
If you would prefer not to receive future editions of this e-bulletin please email back to: workonlife@actu.asn.au with “remove” in the subject heading.