Filippo Sarti, Asia Pacific CEO and Global COO for Regus, says his compay's study highlights the benefits of flexi-work practices for businesses. Photo / Supplied
Cutting through commute times by offering staff flexible working practices can offer all kinds of options to staff which can contribute to their well being, according to a survey published today.
For instance, more than two thirds (67 per cent) of New Zealand workers would allocate more time to family
if they could save time on commuting, whereas one third of professionals would choose to work more (33 per cent), according to research commissioned by Regus, a serviced office provider for SMEs and large corporates around the world.
The Regus study, which polled over 16,000 professionals in more than 80 countries, shows that 35 per cent of New Zealand workers are already benefiting from flexible working arrangements and are working from other locations than their company's main offices for half the week or more. These policies are helping them reduce the overall time spent commuting.
New Zealanders are not quite as fitness motivated as Australians, according to the research. Almost 80 per cent of Australians would prioritise exercise and getting fit given less time spent commuting compared with 59 per cent of New Zealanders. Kiwis would also choose work over friends.
One third of NZ employees would allocate more time to work (33 per cent), as one of their top priorities, compared with 23 per cent of workers who would choose to spend time with friends. Meanwhile New Zealanders would rather do charity work than spend the extra time extending their educational qualifications.
