NEWS
BRIEFING Keep up to date with the latest news surrounding the role of the EA
New Year , New Opportunity for Businesses and Disability Employment
Coming into the New Year you might be working with your executive on recruiting new team members . As an EA it ’ s important you consider all candidates fairly and think about how diverse employees could help strengthen your team . 2021 provides a unique opportunity for businesses to rebuild even stronger workforces . As they do , it ’ s important that disability inclusion is central to these renewed workforces .
“ Hiring a person with disability shouldn ’ t be seen as an issue to be overcome , but an opportunity to build
stronger teams ,” says Steve . “ It ’ s well documented that employees with disability generate less turnover and a superior attendance over their peers .”
These benefits are echoed in other research , including a 2018 US study , which showed that businesses were four times as likely to outperform their competitors ’ shareholder returns if they prioritised the inclusion of those living with disability . These businesses achieved an average of 28 % higher revenue , 30 % higher profit margins and double the net income . Additionally , the average company that employs people with disability see staff retention go up by 90 %, which allows them to focus on their business and not ‘ revolving door ’ recruitment .
Financial support for businesses in accommodating people with disability will become particularly important in March , as JobKeeper payments come to a close and employers reassess their workforce . Tools like atWork Australia ’ s Disability Awareness Training , empower businesses to build a more accessible and inclusive workplace and confidently support their employees with disability . S
Hybrid workers are here to stay
How 2020 shone a light on mental health in the workplace
2020 was not a standout year for anybody — at least not positively anyway . But one good thing to come out of 2020 was the awareness of mental health within the workplace . Mental illness rates skyrocketed in 2020 with the extra stress of the pandemic having a negative effect on many people .
But according to HRM , the news site of the Australian HR Institute , “ The Productivity Commission ’ s 2020 inquiry into mental health found creating psychologically safe workplaces was a vital step towards combating Australia ’ s $ 220 billion mental health crisis .”
With the increase of remote working and isolation from human connectivity , access to counselling and support services was difficult to find . Employee Assistance Program ’ s start-up ‘ Uprise ’ focused on providing mental health care through an app . Through the app , employees can undergo cognitive behaviour therapy to help build the skills needed to deal with stress and burnout . The service works alongside a human coach to check-in on employees regularly via phone call . S
While many Australian businesses had to implement a new way of working when COVID-19 social distancing regulations came into play , The Evolving Workplace Report by Choosi shows these changes have led to more than half ( 54.1 %) of Australian workers transitioning to remote and hybrid working models , as well as an increase in job satisfaction ( 83.1 %).
More than four in five ( 83.3 %) of these workers report how much they love working from home , with a similar amount ( 81.5 %) agreeing that working from home is a change that ’ s here to stay .
Nearly half ( 49.0 %) of remote or hybrid workers report that working from home has increased their productivity . A large proportion also ( 95.5 %) believe this increase in productivity is sustainable for the longer term . Following this large-scale social experiment , three-fifths ( 67.6 %) are confident their employers will continue with flexible work arrangements and feel as though they ’ ll want to take advantage of these post-pandemic . S
10 Chief of Staff | Issue 1 2021