Engaging men in flexible working arrangements

This paper from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) is one of a series that will explore the barriers and solutions to gender equality issues in the workplace. It looks at the current state of play in terms of gender equality in access to and utilisation of flexible work arrangements in Australia. The paper notes that a significant number of men want flexible work but their uptake is moderate at best, and most commonly involves ‘tinkering’ with flexibility or accessing informal rather than formal flexible work. Yet, organisations, men and their families, and women’s experience of gender equality at home and at work, can benefit from men’s higher utilisation of flexible work. The research suggests that engaging men is about broadening the approach and integrating a focus on men and flexibility across existing initiatives and strategies relating to flexibility and cultural change, leadership commitment and capability development, high performing teams and career development. Show less