Raraunga Ohumahi 2022 — Te whakataurite oranga me te mahi Workforce Data 2022 — Balancing life and work

In Te Taunaki, most participants (78%) used some form of flexible work arrangement, the most common being flexible start or finish times, including flexible breaks (79% of those that used some form of flexible work and 62% of all staff) and working from home (74% of those that used some form of flexible work and 58% of all staff).

The reasons for wanting or using flexible work were reduced commuting time (50%), allowing time for other activities (49%), and caring for children (36%). Some reported that flexible working allowed them to study, care for others, do voluntary work, or manage a health or disability issue.

Although most staff already had access to flexible working arrangements, 73% of them would like additional flexible arrangements. Of the 22% of public servants that don’t currently use some form of flexible work, around 81% want access to some form of arrangement.

Survey of working life: 2018 — Stats NZ

Fifty percent of females and 51% of males reported they had caring responsibilities.

Of those who reported caring responsibilities:

• 47% cared for tamariki/children aged 5 to 13
• 34% cared for tamariki/children aged over 14
• 27% cared for tamariki/children aged 5 and under.

Other reasons were looking after older whānau/friends or looking after whānau/friends with a disability or long-term illness.

Of those who reported caring responsibilities, 24% reported that it was easy or very easy to balance their responsibilities with their work, whereas 35% reported that it was difficult or very difficult to balance them.

Leave taken for caring responsibilities varies significantly by gender. As at 30 June 2022, there were 968 employees on parental leave (1.6% of the Public Service workforce) made up of 944 females and 24 males.