Achieving the right balance

By LACW Renee Best

LACW Jayne Butler, of No. 321 Combat Support Squadron, shows her son, Aiden, where she works during a recent open day at RAAF Base Darwin as part of Exercise Pitch Black. The aircraft in the background is a Republic of Singapore Air Force E2C Hawkeye.

Photo by CPL Michelle Lucraft

HOW well do you think the ADF compares to civvy street when it comes to assisting its members in balancing work and family life?

The Business Council of Australia (BCA) surveyed Australian businesses last year to identify strategies to enhance the work/family balance.

Sixty-eight companies with a combined workforce of 800,000 participated in the Balancing Work and Family Survey. The survey confirmed that easing pressures associated with balancing work and family could keep people in the workforce.

As a result of implementing strategies to support working parents, many companies surveyed by the BCA reported improved retention rates, strengthened loyalty and morale, and improved job satisfaction.

The ADF compares favourably to the strategies identified in the BCA survey, as shown in the table at right. Other relevant ADF entitlements are:

Compassionate and carer’s leave: Up to seven days a year including public holidays and weekends.
Examination leave: Up to five days a year including weekends and public holidays.
Short absence from duty: Up to three consecutive working days for rest and recuperation.
Religious/holy day leave: At CO’s discretion.

The comparison with the results of the BCA survey indicates that the ADF is at the cutting edge in adopting strategies to offer flexible working practices and supporting working parents.

Comparison of BCA and ADF Work/ Family balance strategies

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