ways2work - Parents and carers
Workplace culture
The world of work is constantly evolving and anyone returning to the workforce will find they have to adapt to cultural shifts and learn new skills.
Over the last five years, the biggest changes have been in how people communicate at work and the use of technology.
A major cultural change, which is a bonus for parents and carers, is greater recognition of part-timers and people’s desire for flexibility at work. A general shortage of labour and deficits in some crucial skills have, in many fields, tilted the balance in the employee’s favour.
Sweeping changes have taken place in industrial relations laws and many are still in flux.
From 1 September 2008, changes to the Equal Opportunity Act 1995 (Vic) provide additional protection to parents and carers in relation to their working arrangements. The new laws set out that it is discrimination for an employer to unreasonably refuse to accommodate the parental or carer responsibilities of a person offered employment or an employee (including contract workers, those working on a commission basis, and partners in a firm) in working arrangements. The changes clarify and extend the existing protections available to parents and carers in the workforce.
For more information, see the Discrimination section or the publication Family Responsibilities: New guidelines for employers and employees produced by Indutrial Relations Victoria and the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.
Communications technology
Forget typewritten memos and pagers – the world of work now mostly runs on emails and mobile phones. Five years ago, most small businesses were only just becoming email and internet literate. Over the same period, the growth in communications has seen large businesses expect their staff to be constantly contactable.
Adult education institutions, such as the CAE, TAFE colleges and other private and public sector trainers run business and computer courses designed for people returning to the workforce.
‘In terms of communication, if you have a role that requires constant contact with the workplace, you have a mobile phone and email. Five years ago people still had pagers. I don’t know anyone who has a pager now.’
‘People don’t believe in ‘down-time’ any more. Often it is important to negotiate when you will be available.’
‘It’s all about the efficient use of communication.’
Kate advises job-seekers to get on the computer and familiarise themselves with the basics on a range of software. Most employers will provide training on their own systems and allow people to learn as they go but a little knowledge gives a great head start. Find out if there have been major software changes in your field and see if there are any courses available.
It is also worth brushing up on email etiquette. Keep your communications short, to the point, polite and reasonably formal. Read your message back before you send it and don’t clog up people’s inboxes with unnecessary information.
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