6 May 2005

ALIA wins best-practice recognition

The Australian Library and Information Association [ALIA] has been ranked among Australia's best practice organisations in the 2005 Work/Life Balance Survey conducted by MWLF International and CCH Australia.

Now in its eighth year, the survey is recognised as Australia's major analysis of what has become a vital labour market issue. Its methodology reviews business practices in selected organisations to establish which are best assisting staff to create an effective balance between their professional and personal lives. The overall effect of these initiatives on business performance is then measured.

Demographic trends and public policy discourse are rapidly making management of work/life policies a critical issue for organisations and the economy. As efforts increase to build labour market participation and keep skilled people at work, this will become a critical yardstick in organisational performance. Enterprises able to demonstrate high standards in this area will gain tangible advantages by presenting themselves as attractive places in which to work.

For 2005, almost 400 enterprises were assessed. The top 25 per cent were designated 'best practice' organisations. The major criteria demonstrated by participants judged best practice performers were:

ALIA's adviser, industrial relations and employment, Phil Teece, says the library and information sector needs to give high priority to work/life balance. He says that the library and information sector has one of the oldest and most-feminised workforces in Australian industry.

'We have a huge interest in retaining a skilled workforce - work/life balance will be critical' he said.

Mr Teece says ALIA is delighted to have been rated so highly. 'We will be even more pleased if our success boosts interest in work/life balance across the sector', he said.