Bay of Plenty firm wins diversity award

Te Puke chartered accounting firm The Business Results Group’s six-hour workday initiative has been recognised at the 2020 Diversity Awards NZ.

The Business Results Group (pictured) won a Small Organisation Excellence Award in the Work Life Balance category. Its team of 14 switched from working a traditional 7.5-hour day to working six hours in 2018. Staff are still paid for 7.5 hours but work two three-hour blocks each day with a 30-minute unpaid break. Everyone works core hours of 10am to 2pm to maintain team cohesiveness.

Director Trudi Ballantyne says the team has implemented many processes that have improved efficiency and saved time since introducing the shorter day. The new work hours have also made it easier to recruit staff. The initiative also allows people to better manage personal and family commitments.

Judging convener Kirstin Te Wao says this initiative to give all staff time back for other priorities in their lives is a great way to create social cohesion in the workplace and society. “BRG collaborated with their employees and uniquely, their customers to solve any potential issues or negativity the six-hour day would create. Positive staff recruitment and retention has been a great outcome delivered through this initiative.”

Here are all the winners:

Supreme Award – Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

Emerging Diversity and Inclusion – New Zealand Police  Highly Commended – AA Insurance

Empowerment – Deloitte

Work Life Balance – Aurecon

Small Organisation Excellence Award – The Business Results Group Ltd – BRG Highly Commended – Southern Cross Health Society

Impact – State Services Commission and Ministry for Women

Small Organisation Excellence Award – TupuToa Highly Commended – Capability Group

Tomorrow’s Workforce – Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Highly Commended – Citycare Ltd

Walk the Talk – Tracey Taylor, Yellow NZ Ltd

Breaking Barriers – Downlights

Cultural Celebration – Jasmax

Skills Highway – Westco Lumber Limited