Workplace productivity stock take

9 December 2005

A stock take of the work done to date on implementing workplace productivity is the theme of a Department of Labour-hosted workshop, held in Wellington today.

Department of Labour Chief Executive James Buwalda said the workshop was the initiative of the Workplace Productivity Reference Group. Invitees include employer and union representatives, Industry Trade Organisations, government officials and individual businesses who have been involved in implementing workplace productivity.

The Reference Group is made up of business and union representatives who share leadership and provide a variety of practical perspectives on how New Zealand businesses can improve workplace productivity. The Department of Labour supports the implementation of workplace productivity activities.

In 2004, the Workplace Productivity Working Group identified key areas for implementation of the Workplace Productivity Agenda (WPA) - awareness raising; diagnostic tools; facilitating business-to-business learning, supporting capacity building and workplace productivity improvements; and research and evaluation. The stock take meeting will look at these key areas and will inform future work on the Workplace Productivity Agenda and its contribution to the Government's Growth and Innovation Framework.

Reference Group member Business NZ's Chief Executive Phil O'Reilly said there was now an opportunity to build on the good work already done, and extend the scope from labour productivity to total productivity. "Many things affect labour and capital productivity, from both external sources and internal influences, and there is much scope for improvement here."

"For workplaces, this means being open to and involving all workers in new ideas and working out how new technologies, products, services and work practices can make workplaces more productive and rewarding for members," said Reference Group member CTU President Ross Wilson.

"Workplace productivity is about working in smarter and improved ways rather than working longer hours. Our hours of work and the level of workforce participation are already high by OECD standards," said Reference Group Chairperson James Buwalda.