10th May 2006 
 
Adelaide businesses must adopt flexible work practices if they wish to retain their workforce according to Robert Critchley, Director at Worklife International and author of ‘Doing Nothing is Not an Option’ and ‘Rewired, Rehired and Retired’.  
 
Today, at the Institute of Chartered Accountants 2006 Business Forum, Mr Critchley told over 50 Adelaide business people that they could no longer hold-on to outdated business practices.  
 
“Different age groups think differently. Employers need to understand those differences without typecasting anyone”, Mr Critchley said.  
 
“Employers need to take the time to understand the demographics of their workforce. They need to access who is retiring in the short term and also identify multigenerational needs. For example Generation Y has a strong need for a healthy work/life balance and the traditional distinction between leisure and work is becoming increasingly blurred”.  
 
Mr Critchley said the needs of younger workers (Generation X &Y), who are in short supply, should be listened to but he also warned that attracting and retaining older workers was essential to organization survival.  
 
Retention strategies outlined during the presentation included offering:  

• Part time work;
 

• Job share;
 

• Flexible workdays;
 

• Option to buy additional holidays (above four weeks annual leave);
 

• Seasonal employment;
 

• Coaching/mentoring and
 

• Continued career progression.