Well known companies that adapted:
1. Colgate Palmolive
2. Walt Disney Company
3. Nike
4. Johnsons and Johnsons
5. Pfizer
Stats:
• 84% of workers are working longer than their contractual agreement
• 70% feels as though they have to put in extra working hours
• 37% feel as though they are actually productive during working hours
• However, 95% say that it affected them acutely—– only some impact
• 76% continue to working after working hours at home from mobile devices
• 26% are unaware of the flexible working times.
From the South China Morning Post: “Work-life balance still elusive for many Hongkongers: poll – Bosses told to be more flexible on hours to create family-friendly workplaces for staff”
Hongkongers are still struggling to achieve a work-life balance. Community business, a non-profit organization conducted a survey with 1,048 full time workers in August, 2012. On a scale of 1-10, the average work-life balance score was 6.1, only a 0.1 increase from the previous year.
Amanda Yik, a senior programme manager stated that while the legislating standard working hours are fine, they simply cannot be practical for all sectors of the working force, ie. Law Firms. She also stated that bosses needed to be more flexible about working hours, allowing staff to spend time with family and friends. Furthermore, paternity leave should be granted and also extend medical insurance to employees family members.
A committee set up by the government is studying the feasibility of such a law in Hong Kong and according to the survey, it was found that 39% of respondents stated that their career developments were harming their personal lives. Having responsibilities at home as well as full time work was stressful. Thirty-five per cent of those polled said they had considered quitting, or had already resigned, in order to spend more time with their families. Four in 10 women and three in 10 men were in this category.
Company Example:
Colgate Palmolive: (taken from website)
Colgate Palmolive offers programs to encourage their workers to balance work life with their personal life. These programs include:
• Near-site backup childcare centers
• Emergency in-home care for dependent children and adults
• Academic advisory services
• Tuition and education assistance
• On-site lactation rooms
• Generous adoption assistance programs
• Personal services for legal, financial, health and wellness advice
• Counselling services
Worker reviews:
1. Operator (24/08/2015): “Fun. easy going job. The people are very nice and the benefits are good. Free on site gym and very nice health insurance. I really like working here.”
2. Route Account Manager (26/09/2015): “Company allows you to work independently and provides education to help you succeed.”
3. Quality assurance/material management Grp. Manager: “A real caring Company. Lots of training and empowerment, walk the talk, fair, great compensation and benefits, aiming to give more for employees. Tennis and other exercise, conventions, bonuses, living allowances, rice supplies, free products monthly supplies, profit sharing, share of stocks(management position), great health care and a lot more”.