Flexible Working Legislation Means Safer Hospitals

NZNO Media Release

Flexible Working Legislation Means Safer Hospitals

30 July 2007

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation says Green MP Sue Kedgley’s Flexible Working Hours bill will be an important tool for addressing safe staffing issues at New Zealand’s hospitals.

The bill, which has been returned to Parliament by the Industrial Relations and Transport Select Committee, would ensure a consistent approach to Flexible Working arrangements for New Zealand workers caring for children under 5, for children with disabilities under 18 and for elderly dependants.

NZNO Organising Services Manager, Cee Payne-Harker says that as a predominately female nursing workforce, many NZNO members have extensive family commitments that make working to rigid rosters difficult, often deterring them from re-entering the nursing profession once they have children. The right to more flexible working arrangements would encourage parents with essential nursing skills to return to work.

Recent research by the University of Auckland suggests that nursing turnover in New Zealand is as high as 40% per annum. The report suggested reasonable rostering and good working environments as essential retention tools. Consistent access to flexible working arrangements has been identified by NZNO members as a tool to enhance retention, stress reduction and job satisfaction.

Studies show that workplaces employing flexible working arrangements are more motivated and productive, have less absenteeism, turnover and recruitment and retention problems.

“At this time of year, nursing shortages become prevalent as healthcare needs peak,” says Cee Payne-Harker. “Greater flexibility would definitely assist the nursing workforce to respond to fluctuations in healthcare requirements. The bill would secure a clear and consistent right to request such arrangements in all hospitals.”

NZNO is delighted that the bill, proposing legislation covering certain groups, is well supported in Parliament. However, NZNO believes the legislation could achieve much more and will continue to argue strongly for the right to request flexible working arrangements to be extended to all working parents.

ENDS

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