The morale and motivation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government staff have obviously improved since five-day work week was launched in July 2006, the city's top labor official said Thursday.
Speaking at a luncheon, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung said helping employees achieve work-life balance has become an increasingly important staff retention strategy in the face of intense competition for talent.
"A higher salary package or better fringe benefits will surely attract more job applicants, but this may not be sufficient to retain talent. They also aspire to attain a balanced life so that they have time to take care of various needs," he said.
Cheung cited work-life balance initiatives such as introducing a five-day work week or more flexible work arrangements, encouraging staff to leave the office early, reviewing or streamlining the workflow and organizing family days, lunch-time occupational health workshops, music therapy workshops and workplace exercises.
Providing counseling and hotline services and stress management workshops or even procuring for employees confidential counseling services were also included, he said.
Cheung also cited the example of the HKSAR government, which has taken the lead in implementing the five-day work week strategy in two phases since July 2006. There has been no loss of productivity, nor any additional expenditure incurred, he said.
He called on employers to initiate frank dialogue with staff to understand their needs and aspirations, adding that the Labour Department will continue to promote employment practices to employers and human-resources managers in the coming year.
"The adoption of work-life balance brings about a win-win scenario for both employers and employees. It is an investment that guarantees handsome dividends," he said.
Source: Xinhua
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