Australians are working more and more overtime, but most Beilby Rewards Members do not find it a particularly attractive incentive.

Around 73 per cent of respondents in last month’s survey reported that overtime is a regular component of their job. This is in line with recent Australian Bureau of Statistics figures which show that the number of all Australian employees working overtime increased from 33 per cent, in November 2000, to 37 per cent in November 2003.

So are Beilby Rewards members opposed to overtime?

Not especially, but they do prefer other kinds of incentives. Shorter, flexible hours were the first choice for 70 per cent of survey respondents, giving them more time to go home early, to spend with family, go to the gym, or catch dinner and a movie.

Unpaid overtime is more than twice as prevalent among white-collar workers than blue-collar workers. Food for thought, considering white-collar workers in the late 1980s felt they had to improve the working conditions of their blue-collar counterparts who had it tough.

When we asked members what type of incentives they preferred, given a choice of cash, salary packaging or other rewards, 50 per cent chose salary packaging. This involves employers providing benefits that receive concessional taxation treatment, such as vehicles, or items that are exempt from fringe benefits tax, like extra superannuation, membership fees or laptop computers. Employees who choose to participate in salary packaging may take up to 50 per cent of their remuneration in benefits but check with your accountant for up-to-the-minute advice.

Generally, incentives are valued by all employees. Of the Rewards members we surveyed, only 12 per cent said they considered incentives to be unimportant.

Communication a Key Executive Role in Australian Business

Most of Australia’s 200 top public companies now include corporate affairs specialists in their senior management ranks, according to new research from Beilby and communications consultancy Gavin Anderson & Company.

Highlights from this exclusive national survey are now available on the Beilby website at http://www.beilby.com.au/Corporate+Articles/140.aspx