NEW ACCREDITATION HIGHLIGHTS FLEXIBLE EMPLOYERS

SOCIAL enterprise Diverse City Careers (DCC) has launched a new accreditation to recognise employers offering flexible workplaces.

The Flex Able Certification was initially developed by employment agency Flex Able Jobs, with co-founder Christina Smerdon on hand to oversee the process.

Companies advertising with DCC are eligible to go through the Flex Able accreditation process, which examines when, where and how the company's employees work to ensure flexible options are a reality.

The job site only advertises opportunities with a supportive environment for women, with the new offering building on DCC's Endorsed Employer of Women.

DCC co-founder Gemma Lloyd (pictured right with co-founder Valeria Ignatieva) says the Flex Able Certification is another way for female job seekers to evaluate companies before applying.

"Flexible working is not just for mothers returning to work but for those with other caring commitments, health reasons, sporting interests, people looking for an alternative to retirement and those pursuing side projects," Lloyd says.

"We've had tremendous results for corporate clients, particularly in non-traditional industries who have been transparent about how they support women's careers.

"The Flex Able Certification is for those who place a strong focus on flexibility in addition to being an employer of choice for women."

She says 38 per cent of Australian employees' value flexibility over pay, according to a survey commissioned by Airtasker.

While 81.5 per cent of people surveyed believe the traditional employment model of 9am to 5pm office job was inflexible for workers in the future.

Smerdon says businesses risk falling by the wayside of modern recruitment trends.

"Despite numerous business benefits of flexibility, including increased productivity, savings in real estate, lower turnover and innovation, less than 50 per cent of non-public sector organisations with over 100 employees encourage flexible work," Smerdon says.

"The issue is, many organisations also claim to offer flexibility, but the reality is very different once entering the company."