Monash Memo - 26 September 2001

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Family friendly accolade

Monash was last week named as a finalist in the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry National Work and Family Awards in recognition of its work in managing a flexible work environment.

The only university nominated as a finalist, Monash was awarded a High Commendation in the First Steps Large Business Award category, one of six categories that reward businesses for having a family friendly work environment.

Monash has more than 5500 staff members located across six Australian campuses and additional staff members on campuses in Malaysia and South Africa and at centres in Italy and the UK.

In 1999, Monash identified the need to enhance staff awareness and use of the range of flexible work policies and initiatives available to them. In 2000, the university launched its Work Life Family Strategy to ensure that the organisational culture supported staff in balancing their personal and work lives.

Vice-chancellor Professor David Robinson, who accepted the award on behalf of the university, said Monash was committed to supporting employees in balancing their work life and family obligations by adopting an integrated and collaborative approach across its extensive operations.

"By providing a wide range of flexible work options, leave entitlements and support services, Monash enables staff to negotiate a workplace arrangement that best suits their individual circumstances," he said.

Monash's commitment to the strategy was also demonstrated by the appointment earlier this year of a specialist Work Life and Family coordinator, Ms Michelle Waters, whose role is to oversee all aspects of the implementation and evaluation process.

Ms Waters said the accolade was a great honour and hoped it would be the "first step" towards eventually winning the gold award.