Seven ACT businesses have been awarded grants to set up work and family friendly arrangements in their workplace, under the Australian Government’s Fresh Ideas for Work and Family program.
The grants were awarded to the following ACT businesses:
- $2,000 Agile Digital Engineering Pty Ltd Kingston
- $3,000 Interaction Consulting Group Phillip
- $8,250 Property Works Pty Ltd Phillip
- $1,388 Provident Financial Planning Pty Ltd Deakin
- $7,803.53 Take a Break Away Pty Ltd Fisher
- $8,013.30 Threesides Pty Ltd Jamison
- $4,312.26 Viridis E3 Pty Ltd Phillip
These businesses will receive a total of $34,767 to help meet the set-up costs of implementing family-friendly arrangements to suit the needs of the business and its employees including family rooms, policy development and facilities to work from home.
Member for Fraser Bob McMullan, Member for Canberra Annette Ellis and Senator for the ACT Kate Lundy have congratulated these ACT businesses for their commitment to family-friendly practices.
“These local businesses have shown that even though small businesses may be not have the resources of larger organisations, they can provide family-friendly practices,”
“Research shows that family-friendly workplaces are more productive, harmonious, have less staff turnover and attract the talented staff, resulting in a positive impact on the ACT community.”
“I hope that other local businesses will follow lead in finding innovative solutions to help staff balance work and family obligations.”
257 small businesses across Australia have received a grant under Round One of the Fresh Ideas for Work and Family program of $1.6 million.
Following the first funding round, the program will develop industry-specific information that will be available for small businesses to use to put work-based family friendly practices in place. Details of the 2010 funding round will be available in the coming months.
The second round of funding will commence in the coming months.
The Australian Government is helping workers to balance work and family responsibilities. In addition to these measures, from January 2010, all state/territory offices of the Fair Work Ombudsman will employ dedicated staff with expertise in family-friendly arrangements
To find out more about the Fresh Ideas for Work and Family program go to www.deewr.gov.au/freshideas or call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94
MEDIA CONTACT:
Rick Youssef (Ellis) 0434 539 516
Sam Casey (McMullan) 0421 697 660
Annika Hutchins (Lundy) 0407 458 882
