The Australian Institute of Marine Science has earned their first SAGE Cygnet Award, recognising their excellent work to improve workplace flexibility.

Through its Equity, Diversity and Gender (EDGE) Working Group, AIMS is addressing the challenges faced by all genders in the workplace.

Positive interventions

The award recognises their work to provide better opportunities for staff to adopt flexible working arrangements such as:

• hybrid work arrangements that allow for working from home
• up to 20 unpaid leave days in addition to other leave entitlements (48/52 arrangements)
• full-time employees generally work a nine-day fortnight
• commuter car opt in/opt out for those working at the Cape Cleveland site due to its 50km location from Townsville. Staff who seek more flexibility can opt out of the commuter car arrangement and are eligible for an opt-out allowance

What it means for staff

AIMS Senior Remuneration Officer Jordana Ferrara said the opportunity for her to work part of the week from her home meant she could attend her daughter’s Friday evening sporting events. This would not be possible if she was commuting from her workplace at the Cape Cleveland office, some 45 minutes from home.

“It’s also good if I have a tradesperson or delivery coming because I can schedule that for the days I am home,” she said.

“I have the best of both worlds because I love the social aspect of working in the office and being able to collaborate face-to-face, especially as I am new, so I can get to know everyone.

“And I can plan to do confidential and more detailed, uninterrupted work in my home office.”

Building a positive culture

AIMS CEO Professor Selina Stead said the 2020 AIMS Bronze Award submission identified that staff perceived a lack of flexible work arrangements and limited information about available options and entitlements.

“Over the past few years, AIMS has taken steps to address this barrier and promote a more equitable work environment as part of our efforts to enhance a positive culture through equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI) and belonging,” she said.

“However, new barriers continually arise as we grow. Our commitment to improvement does not end here. For example, we are looking at how to consider intersectionality, so we fully empower EDI in our AIMS community.”

Data-driven action

Evidence shows that flexible work arrangements have played a role in attracting and retaining talent, with employees citing it as a decisive factor in choosing or staying in their roles.

SAGE CEO Dr Janin Bredehoeft congratulated AIMS for its leadership in providing flexible work arrangements.

“AIMS has taken a very honest and data-driven approach to improving flexibility in its workplace, and it’s making a hugely positive impact,” she said.

“Testimonials from staff show they feel their work-life balance is better supported and that flexibility has become a decisive factor in choosing to stay on at the organisation.”

Find out more

This is AIMS’s first SAGE Cygnet Award, which builds on the work they did to achieve Athena Swan Bronze accreditation.

Access this downloadable PDF summary of their progress and impact to find out all about the barrier they were tackling, their actions, outcomes, impacts and next steps.

You can also read their full Cygnet Award application for all the details on what they did.