Meaning Of Labour Day Loses Relevance

Meaning Of Labour Day Loses Relevance For Today’s Job Seekers

This Monday we commemorate the struggle for a better work life balance and celebrate New Zealand’s success as the first country in the world to secure eight hour working day conditions.

But new research completed by SEEK asked what really matters to Kiwi’s now, and the results reveal New Zealanders are a lot less concerned about the hours they spend at work and have new priorities.

“In the current economic climate people are willing to do more to get or keep their jobs. Increased hours and working longer and harder is seen as better than having no job at all. Work life balance is slipping down the list of wants in a job, steering away from that which Samuel Parnell fought so hard for,” says Duff.

Labour Day, first celebrated on 28th October 1890, was established to pay tribute to Samuel Parnell and his efforts to secure an eight hour working day for New Zealanders.

Parnell’s belief was the 24 hours in a day should be split equally amongst work, sleep and recreation – with eight hours apportioned to each.

“Work-life balance has been such an important part of employment in New Zealand over the years, for both employees and employers, but our research reveals this is no longer the most important consideration,” says Annemarie Duff, General Manager of SEEK.

“Our research shows that the number of hours spent at work has slipped well down the list of priorities - there are eight other considerations that top work life balance when looking for a job in 2009.

“Unsurprisingly, salary and the quality of management are the top two priorities, but now this is followed directly by the potential in a company, people are looking for career development opportunities – this ranks in the top three considerations when seeking a job.”

SEEK’s research sample covered 2,500 individuals and focused on gaining insights into what keeps employees satisfied and motivated in their work.

Interestingly, the research also showed that poor work life balance was not a major reason that contributed to participants leaving their last job.

“New challenges and redundancy are the main contributors to the respondent’s decision to leave their last jobs. But in fact feeling unappreciated and boredom were more significant contributors than a poor work life balance,” says Duff.

“Looking at this data, it may be a lot easier than employers realise to make their staff happier. Focusing on initiatives like job rotation, ongoing training and a simple thank you could help improve retention.”

ENDS

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