Four out of five employers offered flexible working hours in 2023

Work from home also offered by nearly half of employers: report

Four out of five employers offered flexible working hours in 2023

Flexible working hours emerged as the most-offered work and support option from employers in 2023, according to Stats NZ.

The data revealed that 81% of employers in New Zealand offered flexible working hours to their staff, with the number going up to 90% when it comes to large businesses.

Flexible working hours were more likely to be offered in the following industries:

  • Professional, scientific, and technical services (95%)
  • Information media and telecommunications (94%)
  • Financial and insurance services (92%)

The second most-offered work style for employees is the option to work part time, which is extended by 77% of employers.

This is followed by support for mental health and wellbeing (53%) and support for physical health and wellbeing (48%).

Source: Stats NZ

Working from home also offered

Meanwhile, the report also found that 43% of businesses offered the option to work from home, with the following industries most likely to offer them:

  • Information media and telecommunications industry (86%)
  • Financial and insurance services (84%)
  • Professional, scientific, and technical services (81%)

Ricky Ho, business performance manager, said 14% of employees from organisations offering work from home took the option.

In the information media and telecommunications industry, 30% of staff worked from home on a typical day in 2023.

Flexibility in demand

The findings come as a recent Frog Recruitment report revealed that more than a third of employees in New Zealand would likely leave due to a lack of flexibility.

Shannon Barlow, managing director at Frog Recruitment, previously said flexibility has become a "valuable bargaining tool" in the negotiating table.

"Ignoring this expectation can create a talent exodus, and organisations must keep hold of their talent in our tight labour market," she said.