Creative workplaces reap the benefits

Workplaces are becoming more creative as they tap into the country's latent talent pool says Dr Philippa Reed, chief executive of the Equal Employment Opportunities Trust.

A study by the trust included large and small employers - from a landscaping company in Wanganui which employs several people with disabilities to an Auckland-based training firm that employs people from around the world.

"These case studies demonstrate that a diverse workforce can result in a whole range of benefits for business," says Dr Reed.

"Some of these are obvious, such as the electronics manufacturer which uses the experience of new migrants to access export markets, while some are less tangible like the increased workplace harmony and creativity many employers report."

Managing director of Contract Warehousing Rod Giles says his 30-strong staff is made up of many cultures as well as people who have come off benefits.

But he says there are also hard-nosed business advantages to his diverse workforce.

"We've found that most new migrants are highly qualified and motivated. They have to be to immigrate in the first place.

"Their industrious work habits and influence have made it obvious to many employees that they have to change their attitudes and improve their standard of work," he says.

"Migrants want to get ahead and they know the only way to do that is to put in the effort."

Several of the case studies demonstrate the advantages of employing older workers, Dr Read says.

For example, 81-year-old Paul Hobbs is a part-time maths teacher for students with special needs at Te Awamutu College.

Principal Barbara Cavanagh says Hobbs' age is irrelevant to the college. "He's got this huge reservoir of knowledge and we need to tap into it.

"He likes kids and they like him and are more than happy to work with him. He's willing to come in and be involved with us."