Work-Life Balance

The changes introduced by the Government today to legislation providing entitlements to workers for rest and meal breaks are unnecessary and ignore the basis of the current provisions, said CTU President Helen Kelly.

Today’s announcement on the Holidays Act Review by the Minister of Labour has elements that will reassure workers but will also raise concerns, said CTU Vice President Richard Wagstaff.

In The Unionist this week: National's plans for accident compensation, new work rights to request flexible working arrangements come in to force, the launch of the EPMU's work rights campaign, and economic news this week.

“A new work right for employees with care responsibilities to request flexible working arrangements reflects workers’ increasing need for balance in their lives,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said today, ahead of the new flexible work law coming into effect tomorrow.

“The time is right for workers to have the right to request flexible working hours, and provisions passed into law tonight are an excellent step towards building a culture that recognises workers' responsibilities outside of the workplace,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said tonight.

What is it about Sue Kedgley’s Bill introducing a legislative right to request flexible working hours for some workers that is causing so much apparent concern among some in the business lobby? 

"Unions know that the pressure to balance work and family life is a major problem for many workers, and we are excited to be campaigning alongside community groups for a legislative right to request flexible working hours," CTU president Ross Wilson said today at the launch of the Quality Flexible Working Hours Coalition.

In recent years union members in New Zealand and internationally are increasingly saying that the important issues for them are not just higher wages, but all the other things that make a quality of life. The union campaign for a quality of life both inside and outside work is called Get A Life!