'Offering this kind of flexibility gives employers a distinct edge, particularly among younger generations,' says expert
The long-standing controversy on whether Australia Day should be marked on January 26 is underscoring the need for workplaces to have flexible holiday policies.
Australia Day is traditionally marked on January 26, but there has been growing opposition across the country to the date as it also marks the start of British settlement in Australia.
The opposition has led to debates in the past years on whether Australians should clock in on the 26th in the wake of the controversy.
This year, Indeed's latest poll found that over eight million working Australians (70%) want the choice to work on Australia Day, but nearly three million of them don't have the option to do so.
Among those who have the choice to work, 86% said their main reason is to earn extra income, while 51% said it's because they don't agree with January 26 being a day of celebration.
The findings indicate an emerging shift among Australian workers of wanting to choose the holidays they observe, whether because of money or personal belief.
"Over half of Australian workers believe January 26 should no longer be a day of celebration. Flexible holiday policies allow workers to make choices that align with their personal beliefs," said Sally McKibbin, Indeed's career expert, in a statement.
More than two-thirds of workers (69%) in Indeed's survey revealed they already have the option to work on at least one public holiday.
Similarly, findings from Robert Half found that 65% of workers are allowed to swap a gazetted public holiday for a day that is culturally or religiously significant to them.
Nicole Gorton, Director at Robert Half, said there is now a growing recognition that a one-size-fits-all approach to public holidays does not work in today's modern workforce.
"The modern workplace has people from many different backgrounds, cultures and religions, so allowing employees to choose when they take time off work to mark their particular days of significance does not only reflect this diversity, but also acknowledges an employee's needs, and promotes a sense of belonging and inclusivity," Gorton said in a statement.
According to Robert Half's report, granting employees the option of alternative holidays will boost morale and inclusivity in the workplace. It can also be a powerful tool to attract and retain top talent.
"In a competitive job market, offering this kind of flexibility gives employers a distinct edge, particularly among younger generations who highly value strong DEI policies," Gorton said.
But implementing alternative holidays for employees will require careful planning and communication to ensure operational needs of organisations are met.
"While generally positive, this approach may require adjustments to team workflows and scheduling, especially for businesses with strict operational requirements," Gorton said.
