Six month time banking trial begins at Fore Design
Fore Design has further committed to the healthy work-life balance of its team, with a six-month trial of a flexible time banking program that prioritises staff wellbeing.
Team members can opt into either one day off a fortnight or one day off every four weeks, by extending their regular workdays to ‘bank’ the hours needed to cover a regular day off. Each team member has a schedule customised to their individual needs, and all have welcomed the opportunity for a regular three-day weekend; some anticipate improvements in their commute to work as earlier or later start times mean they will miss peak hour traffic.
General Manager Jordana Ashcroft O’Sullivan described the latest addition to the company’s people-first culture as a win-win:
“We recognise the challenges we all experience in balancing the demands of work with health, parenting, care and personal needs. When our staff have regular time to invest in their lives outside of the office, they can then bring their best selves to their work and in turn to our clients.
It’s well known that the importance of a healthy workplace can’t be underestimated; A 2022 study by Deloitte and Swinburne University found that 93% of workers say their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing is just as important as pay. We also hope to see benefits such as fewer absences, increased productivity, and providing an attractive offering for new talent”.
The new Time Banking Program has been developed in collaboration between management and staff, reinforcing the right for staff to disconnect outside of work hours. The trial builds on a recent series of externally facilitated workshops to refine the company’s shared values, and ensure a positive and inclusive workplace culture as equals.
Fore Design has always prioritised work-life balance, rejecting an industry culture that expects long hours and overtime in favour of a collaborative and social working style fostered through regular local team lunches, afternoon walks, office dog days and some flexibility in working hours. A recent addition to the Hahndorf office of a fully furnished kitchen and outdoor all-weather area provides a space large enough to fit the whole team, and share lunchtime cook-ups and celebrations.
With the rapid growth in the number of design, and operations staff joining the team in recent years, Ashcroft O’Sullivan is passionate about intentionally nurturing a workplace culture that can support not only the growth of the business, but the professional goals of employees.
Reference
Report by Deloitte and Swinburne Edge: ‘Reset, Restore, Reframe – Making Fair Work FlexWork’