A new initiative enables Randstad New Zealand’s permanent staff of 65 team members to apply to work from anywhere in the world for up to four weeks annually and be paid while away – on top of other leave entitlements.
Katherine Swan, Randstad NZ’s country director says like many Kiwis, a lot of its people have been unable to take a proper break or travel overseas to see their loved ones for several years but with borders reopening the firm wanted to enable its people to do just that without having to sacrifice annual leave or salary payments.
Swan says Randstad has had an overwhelmingly positive response from its people to the initiative with many already making plans to travel overseas in the coming months.
The Workaway Programme is also intended to support the mental well-being of Randstad employees.
“We know some people have had to choose between work and seeing their family over the past two years due to border closures, and that has put huge stress on them.”
She notes that technology is enabling people to work more effectively regardless of location. “The pandemic has demonstrated to employers that productivity doesn’t stop or drop if staff aren’t office-based. Our Randstad’s 2021 Employer Brand Research found Kiwis are more loyal to companies that have supported them through Covid and that work-life balance has overtaken salaries and benefits (number one for the past decade) as the most important driver for those looking for new roles. Finding ways to enable that balance is an important consideration for more Kiwi employers as the ‘great resignation’ continues too.”
