Carlson Wagonlit Travel has introduced new flexible working arrangements that offer more varied hours and locations of work.
This includes working from home on a full-time or part-time basis and other creative options such as a nine-month working year – February to November.
Based on CWT’s workforce demographics, 76 percent of the workforce are women at an average age of 33.
CWT says this demographic is often looking for more flexible working arrangements.
“We believe that by providing new work arrangements such as our four hours per day, work from home positions, we are providing the opportunity for highly skilled consultants to remain in the workforce under an arrangement that suits their own personal circumstances,” said Effie Fox, director of human resources.
“Additionally, the option of a reduced work year of February to November with accrued annual leave provides, for example, working parents the ability to take leave throughout the year while also ensuring they are spending the extended holiday period of December to January with their children,†Fox added.
The Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) white paper titled “People at Work 2020†assessed the major trends and issues likely to influence people at work by the year 2020.
The demand for personal flexibility was identified in this paper as one of the forces that will determine the future workplace for individuals.
CWT says it has also recognised the changing needs of its clients.
“A client with offices across multiple geographic locations or operating under irregular booking patterns can benefit from the fluidity of a flexible workforce.
“Corporate travel operates in a 24/7 environment and the ability to service bookings through an at home consultant working evenings would fit the patterns of some clients,” said a company statement.
