Our Company Statement on Work-and-Life Balance
Our company is committed through its Mission Statement “to the dignity of all human beings”. In line with broader Catholic Social teaching, our company recognises that work is integral for underpinning personal fulfilment, and private and social dignity. One of the principal ways that this recognition is manifested at or company is through the practical development and application of a work-and-life balance philosophy which is a core component of or company’s emerging workplace culture.
Work is recognised as an important, but not an exclusive, means through which a person contributes to society at large. In balance to their work activities, people need to share time with their family, to attend to their personal spiritual development, to rest, and to pursue broader cultural, educational and recreational interests through which they might grow, develop and further contribute to their spiritual and intellectual life.
As an employer or company strives to balance the needs of the individual employee and company to enable work-and-life needs to be addressed appropriately. The overall aim is to optimise the contribution of employees in the achievement of both personal and professional outcomes in an environment that is co-operative, supportive and efficient.
Work-and-life balance strategies can be most beneficial to staff and our company when the interconnectedness of needs – personal, human and institutional is recognised and acted upon. Importantly, an effective work-and-life balance philosophy recognises that benefits, support and assistance need to flow reciprocally between the company and its staff.
At our company, this philosophy is intentionally encouraged so that work-and-life balance is an intrinsic component of our company’s workplace culture. Such a philosophy underpins the emerging coherency of the whole company workplace and scholarly community. It is expected, however, that this coherency will be grounded in the concept of mutuality. This means that the institution, staff, management and other bodies or groups who form a part of ACU community life (including employee associations) collectively share responsibility for its well-being. Shared responsibility in turn means that benefits warrant definite returns and that rights come with definite obligations. Community members throughout the organisation have roles to play in contributing to their and others well-being, and mutual obligations are fulfilled by ensuring efficient and effective quality service.
In embracing a work-and-life balance philosophy our company has signalled that, as an institution, it has a significant role to play in this important endeavour, in partnership with its staff in all fields of our company activity. The extent of our company’s practical commitment to this philosophy is outlined in the appendix to this statement.
As new and sometimes unique work-life-balance needs emerge they necessitate exploration of novel and creative solutions. The overall aspiration, however, will be wherever possible, to achieve a work-and-life balance that equitably and fairly recognises the needs of the employee and our company.
Statement Review
Our company may make changes to the Statement on Work-and-Life Balance from time to time to improve the effectiveness of its operation. In this regard, any staff member who wishes to make any comments about the Statement on Work-and-Life Balance may forward her/his suggestions to the Human Resources Advisory Service.
Further Assistance
Any staff member who requires assistance in understanding the Statement on Workand-Life Balance should first consult her/his nominated supervisor who is responsible for the implementation and operation of these arrangements in her/his work area. Should further advice be needed, she/he should contact the Human Resources Consultant responsible for their campus.